Exercise performance as a function of semi-solid and liquid carbohydrate feedings during prolonged exercise

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Exercise Physiology
• Nutrition Science

Background:

• Carbohydrate intake is crucial for endurance athletes.
• The form of carbohydrate delivery (liquid vs. semi-solid) may influence exercise performance.
• Optimal fueling strategies are essential for maximizing athletic output.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effects of semi-solid versus liquid carbohydrate feeding on endurance exercise performance.
• To evaluate the impact of different carbohydrate formulations on maximal test time and power output.
• To identify factors influencing exercise performance in triathletes.

Main Methods:

• Thirty-two male triathletes completed three maximal exercise trials at 75% VO2max.
• Trials involved cycling and running bouts with either semi-solid carbohydrate feeding (S), liquid carbohydrate feeding (F), or a liquid placebo (P).
• Performance metrics included maximal test time (MTT) and mean power output (W1, Wend), analyzed using survival analysis and regression.

Main Results:

• Liquid feeding (F) resulted in a significantly longer median MTT (180 min) compared to semi-solid (S, 126 min) and placebo (P, 120 min).
• Mean power output was significantly higher with liquid feeding (F) compared to placebo (P).
• Dietary intake significantly contributed to MTT and Wend, but not W1, indicating varied effects across performance measures.

Conclusions:

• Liquid carbohydrate feeding enhances endurance exercise performance more effectively than semi-solid feeding.
• The form of carbohydrate delivery plays a role in optimizing athletic performance during prolonged exercise.
• Fueling strategies should be tailored based on the specific demands of different exercise performance tests.