Effects of Modest Carbohydrate-Energy Supplementation on Resistance Training Adaptations in Trained Men: A Crossover...

Background/Objectives: Higher energy and carbohydrate intakes have been hypothesized to enhance resistance training adaptations, yet empirical evidence remains mixed. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether supplemental carbohydrate-energy intake improves muscle hypertrophy and strength. Methods: Twenty resistance-trained men (26.7 ± 4.9 years old, 9.7 ± 6.1 years training experience) completed a quasi-randomized, double-blinded, counterbalanced crossover trial. Participants consumed either a daily protein-only supplement (30 g protein, 4 g carbohydrate) or a daily protein-plus-carbohydrate supplement (30 g protein, 54 g carbohydrate) for 8 weeks each, followed by crossover, while continuing their habitual training and nutrition. Primary outcomes included lean mass obtained using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, muscle thickness and cross-sectional area obtained via ultrasound, back squat one-repetition maximum, fatigue index, and knee extensor peak torque. Differences in estimated marginal means, controlling for order and phase effects, were analyzed via linear mixed models, with first-phase-only ANCOVAs as sensitivity analyses. Results: The carbohydrate-protein condition resulted in significantly higher daily energy (+485 kcal/d; p = 0.017) and carbohydrate intake (+33 g/d; p = 0.043) than the protein-only condition, with no differences in protein or fat intake or training volume. No significant differences between conditions were observed for any outcome, including in the sensitivity analyses. Conclusions: Modest supplemental carbohydrate-energy intake did not significantly augment muscle hypertrophy, fatigue resistance or strength in trained men within our study context. More high-powered research is needed to determine how much and under which circumstances carbohydrate-energy intake affects resistance training adaptations.