The effect of a high carbohydrate meal on endurance running capacity

This study examined the effects of a pre-exercise meal and a carbohydrate-electrolyte solution on endurance running capacity. Ten men performed 3 treadmill runs at 70% VO2max to exhaustion after consuming (a) a carbohydrate meal 3 h before exercise and a carbohydrate-electrolyte solution during exercise (M + C); or (b) the carbohydrate meal 3 h before exercise and water during exercise (M + W); or (c) a liquid placebo 3 h before exercise and water during exercise (P + W). Exercise time was longer in M + C (125.1 +/- 5.3 min; mean +/- SE) and M + W (111.9 +/- 5.6 min) compared with P + W (102.9 +/- 7.9 min; p < .01 and p < .05, respectively), and longer in M + C compared with M + W (p < .05). Serum insulin concentration at the start of exercise and carbohydrate oxidation rates during the first hour of exercise were higher, whereas plasma FFA concentrations throughout exercise were lower in M + W and M + C than in P + W (p < .01). A carbohydrate meal before exercise at 70% VO2max improved endurance running capacity; however, the combination of the meal and a carbohydrate-electrolyte solution during exercise further improved endurance running capacity.