Multiple Transportable Carbohydrates During Exercise: Current Limitations and Directions for Future Research
1Athletics Department, Nebraska Athletic Performance Laboratory, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska.
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
|January 7, 2015
Summary
Multiple transportable carbohydrates (MTC) enhance carbohydrate absorption and performance during prolonged exercise. However, research limitations highlight the need for studies in running, field settings, and diverse populations.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Human Physiology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Multiple transportable carbohydrates (MTC) utilize distinct intestinal transporters for absorption.
- MTC ingestion during prolonged exercise may enhance absorption, oxidation, and performance while reducing gastrointestinal distress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review MTC mechanisms and evaluate existing research.
- To identify methodological limitations in MTC studies and guide future research.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of 27 articles on MTC during exercise.
- Evaluation based on participant characteristics, exercise type, treatment, blinding, and nutrition status.
Main Results:
- MTC ingestion increased exogenous carbohydrate oxidation, reduced GI distress, and improved cycling performance (≥2.5 hours) at high intake rates (≥1.2 g·min⁻¹).
- Limitations include underrepresentation of running, field studies, women, and adolescents.
- High carbohydrate intake rates may have exaggerated GI distress and performance decrements.
Conclusions:
- MTC offers benefits for endurance athletes, particularly cyclists at high intake levels.
- Future research should focus on running, team sports, diverse demographics, field conditions, and varied intake protocols.
- Optimizing MTC strategies requires addressing current methodological gaps.
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