The Effects of a Carbohydrate Mouth Rinse on Soccer-Specific Skills Following a Morning High-Intensity Practice

Carbohydrate mouth rinse (CMR) is suggested to improve aerobic, anaerobic, and skill-related performance. The current study examined the influence of CMR on soccer-specific skills in 13 faster collegiate female soccer players. Athletes completed a control (CON) and two counterbalanced, double-blind experimental sessions. Sessions consisted of a warm-up, high-intensity soccer practice, followed by four soccer-specific skill tests. During the experimental sessions participants rinsed with a color-and-taste-matched CMR or placebo (PLA) solution before the skill tests. Thirst sensation (TS), rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and heart rate (HR) were assessed throughout sessions. Performance scores and HR values between sessions were compared with a one-way repeated measurements ANOVA. A Friedman test was used to compare RPE and TS. Post-hoc analyses were implemented when necessary. Agility times were significantly faster (p = .01) during CON session (10.9 ± 0.4 s) compared to PLA session (11.2 ± 0.4 s). There was no significant difference in scores for the other tests (p > .05). Post-practice RPE was lower (p = .01) for CMR session than CON session. TS was lower during PLA and CMR sessions compared to CON session following the warm-up (PLA p = .004; CMR p = .003) and practice (PLA p = .002; CMR p = .001). Average (p = .094) and maximal HR (p = .334) were similar across sessions. While CMR did not hinder soccer skill-related performance, the current study determined the use of CMR may not enhance soccer skill-related performance in fasted collegiate female soccer players.