Ingesting A Sports Drink Enhances Simulated Ice Hockey Performance While Reducing Perceived Effort

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Exercise Physiology
• Nutrition Science

Background:

• Skeletal muscle glycogen depletion and dehydration are critical factors impacting endurance performance.
• Optimal hydration strategies are crucial for maintaining performance in demanding sports like ice hockey.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of carbohydrate-electrolyte solution (CES) ingestion versus progressive dehydration on skeletal muscle glycogen utilization and performance in ice hockey players during simulated exercise.
• To compare the impact of hydration status on physiological and perceptual responses during a hockey-specific protocol.

Main Methods:

• Seven male ice hockey players underwent a simulated ice hockey exercise protocol on two separate occasions.
• Participants either progressively dehydrated (NF trial) or ingested a CES to maintain hydration.
• Muscle biopsies were collected at rest, before the third period (P3), and post-exercise to analyze glycogen levels.

Main Results:

• CES ingestion led to enhanced voluntary performance (151.0±8.0 vs. 144.1±8.7 kJ) and greater muscle glycogen use (177.5±31.1 vs. 103.5±16.2 mmol·kg dm⁻¹) in P3 compared to the dehydration trial.
• Perceived exertion was reduced (16±1 vs. 18±1) and mean core temperature was lower (38.0±0.2 vs. 38.1±0.1°C) with CES ingestion.
• Dehydration resulted in a -1.8% body mass loss.

Conclusions:

• Maintaining hydration with a CES preserves performance and reduces thermal and perceptual strain during simulated ice hockey exercise compared to progressive dehydration.
• The benefits of CES ingestion on performance are evident even with increased glycogen utilization during the latter stages of exercise.
• Hydration status significantly influences physiological responses and performance capacity in ice hockey players during intense, prolonged activity.