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Effects of sports drinks with different molecular weight carbohydrates on rehydration during endurance exercise: a
Qiushi Tan1,2,3, Zhiguang Zhao1,2,3, Aiqi Yu4
1National Institute of Sports Medicine, Beijing, China.
Background:
The aim of this study was to compare the impacts of low-molecular-weight (LMW) and high-molecular-weight (HMW) carbohydrate (CHO) sports drinks on rehydration during endurance exercise.
Methods:
Ten middle- and long-distance running athletes were selected in a randomized, double-blind, cross-over design. One day before the experiment, a pre-experiment was performed to determine the VO
Results:
The percentage of body weight loss before and after exercise was significantly lower in the LMW group than in the HMW group (P<0.05). The serum or urine Na+, K+, and Cl- concentrations did not significantly differ among the groups (P>0.05). No significant differences in plasma osmolarity, urine osmolarity, lactic acid, blood pH, or exercise exhaustion time were found among the groups (P>0.05).
Conclusions:
Sports drinks containing LMW CHO were better at maintaining hydration than those containing HMW CHO. Sports drinks with different molecular weights of CHO had no significant effect on athletic performance or blood pH.
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