Oxidation and metabolic effects of fructose or glucose ingested before exercise

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of fructose (F) and glucose (G) intake before exercise on oxidation of the ingested substrate, glycogen utilization, work output, and metabolic changes. Ten trained subjects ingested F or G (1 g/kg), both of which were naturally enriched in 13C. After 1 h of rest, they exercised on an ergometer at 61% of their maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) for 45 min, which was immediately followed by 15 min at their maximal voluntary output. During the resting hour, blood insulin and glucose were lower (p less than 0.05) and respiratory quotient and blood lactate higher (p less than 0.01) after F. During exercise, the differences disappeared, apart from a transient but moderate (4.3 mmol/l) hypoglycemia after G compared to F. No difference between F and G was observed for uric acid, glycerol, FFA, and glucagon. Glycogen decrements in the vastus lateralis muscle were 67 +/- 9 (F) and 97 +/- 15 (G) mmol/kg, values not significantly different from each other (P greater than 0.05). The maximal voluntary work produced during the last 15 min did not differ between treatments. During the 2 h after sugar ingestion, 30 +/- 3 g of F and 26 +/- 3 g of G were oxidized to 13CO2. These findings indicate that fructose ingested before exercise was utilized at least as well as glucose, allowed a more stable glycemia, and did not modify performance.     

Effect of fructose ingestion on muscle glycogen usage during exercise

Eight healthy males were studied to compare the effects of preexercise fructose and glucose ingestion on muscle glycogen usage during exercise. Subjects performed three randomly assigned trials, each involving 30 min of cycling exercise at 75% VO2max. Forty-five min prior to commencing each trial, subjects ingested either 50 g of glucose (G), 50 g of fructose (F), or sweet placebo (C). No differences in VO2 or respiratory exchange ratio were observed between the trials. Blood glucose was elevated (P less than 0.05) as a result of the glucose feeding. With the onset of exercise, blood glucose declined rapidly during G, reaching a nadir of 3.18 +/- 0.15 (SE) mmol X 1(-1) at 20 min of exercise. This value was lower (P less than 0.05) than the corresponding values in F (3.79 +/- 0.20) and C (3.99 +/- 0.18). No differences in exercise blood glucose levels were observed between F and C. Muscle glycogen utilization was greater (P less than 0.05) during G (55.4 +/- 3.3 mmol X kg-1 w.w.) than C (42.8 +/- 4.2). No difference was observed between F (45.6 +/- 4.3) and C. There was a trend (P = 0.07) for muscle glycogen usage to be lower during F than G. These results suggest that the adverse effects of preexercise glucose ingestion are, in general, not observed with either fructose or sweet placebo.     

The effect of food matrix on carbohydrate utilization during moderate exercise.

The effect of food matrix on carbohydrate utilization during moderate exercise. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 24, No. 3, pp. 320-326, 1992. To determine the effect of food type and form on the rate of assimilation and utilization of a meal given before exercise, five physically active adult males walked for 4 h on a 10% uphill graded treadmill at 40% VO2max. After a 12-h fast, and 30 min before exercise, subjects ingested 70 g of liquid glucose (G), a refined "hot cereal" (R), a refined "hot cereal" with water-soluble fiber (R/F), an oat bar (O), or placebo (P). Meals R/F, R, and O had significantly lower (P less than 0.05) peak plasma glucose responses than meal G (0.8, 0.9, 1.0, and 2.4 mmol.l-1, respectively). Meals R, O, and R/F had significantly lower (P less than 0.01) peak insulin responses than meal G (135, 150, 190, and 340 pmol.l-1, respectively). All meals except P contained an extrinsic tracer of 200 mg UL-13C-glucose. Mean (+/- SD) total recovery of the administered dose of 13C for all meals was 81 +/- 2%. Both O (34 +/- 4% dose.h-1) and R/F (30 +/- 3% dose.h-1) had significantly lower peak recoveries than did meal G (41 +/- 5% dose.h-1). Meal R/F had a significantly lower (P less than 0.05) rate of exogenous glucose oxidation than meal G during the first hour of exercise. These data suggest that meal R/F slows the rate of assimilation and utilization of exogenous glucose, but does not alter the cumulative 4-h utilization.     

Prior meal enhances the plasma glucose lowering effect of exercise in type 2 diabetes

PURPOSE: To compare the changes in plasma glucose and insulin levels in response to 1 h of exercise performed at 60% of VO(2peak) either in the fasted state or 2 h after a standardized breakfast in subjects with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Ten sedentary men with type 2 diabetes treated with oral agents and not under strict metabolic control were tested on two occasions (fasted and fed state) in a random order at a 1-wk interval. RESULTS: Plasma glucose was slightly but not significantly higher at the beginning of exercise performed in the fed state versus the fasted state (12.4 +/- 1.3 vs 11.1 +/- 1.1 mmol x L(-1) respectively; mean +/- SE, P = 0.06). However, after exercise, plasma glucose levels were much lower in the fed state (7.6 +/- 1.1 mmol x L(-1)) compared with the fasted state (10.0 +/- 1.0 mmol x L(-1); P = 0.009). Insulin levels were higher at the beginning of the exercise bout performed in the fed state (177 +/- 26 vs 108 +/- 19 pmol x L(-1); P < 0.05) and during exercise. Similar respiratory exchange ratio at identical workload indicated that the difference in glycemic response was not due to differences in whole body substrate utilization. Plasma concentrations of free fatty acids, glucagon, epinephrine, and norepinephrine were also similar during both experiments. CONCLUSIONS: One hour of aerobic exercise has a minimal impact on plasma glucose level when performed in fasted moderately hyperglycemic men with type 2 diabetes but induces an important decrease in plasma glucose level when performed 2 h after breakfast. Because glucose utilization increased similarly during exercise in both conditions, the higher insulin levels after the meal might have blunted glucose production, creating an imbalance between total glucose production and total peripheral utilization in the fed state in contrast to the fasted state.     

Effect of carbohydrate feedings on muscle glycogen utilization and exercise performance

Ten men were studied during 4 h of cycling to determine the effect of solid carbohydrate (CHO) feedings on muscle glycogen utilization and exercise performance. In the experimental trial (E) the subjects ingested 43 g of sucrose in solid form along with 400 ml of water at 0, 1, 2 and 3 h of exercise. During the control trial (C) they received 400 ml of an artificially sweetened drink without solid CHO. No differences in VO2, heart rate, or total energy expenditure were observed between trials; however, respiratory exchange ratios were significantly (P less than 0.05) higher during E. Blood glucose was significantly (P less than 0.05) elevated 20 min post-feeding in E; however, by 50 min no differences were observed between trials until 230 min (E = 4.5 +/- 0.2 mmol X l-1 vs C = 3.9 +/- 0.2, means +/- SE; P less than 0.05). Muscle glycogen utilization was significantly (P less than 0.05) lower during E (100.7 +/- 10.2 mmol X kg-1 w.w.) than C (126.2 +/- 5.5). During a sprint (100% VO2max) ride to exhaustion at the end of each trial, subjects performed 45% longer when fed CHO (E = 126.8 +/- 24.7 s vs C = 87.2 +/- 17.5; P less than 0.05). It was concluded that repeated solid CHO feedings maintain blood glucose levels, reduce muscle glycogen depletion during prolonged exercise, and enhance sprint performance at the end of such activity.     

Oxidation of corn starch, glucose, and fructose ingested before exercise

The purpose of this study was to compare the metabolic and endocrine responses, and the amounts of exogenous carbohydrate oxidized, during prolonged moderate cycle ergometer exercise (120 min, 60% VO2max), preceded by ingestion of 13C enriched glucose (G), fructose (F), or pure corn starch (S) (1,592 kJ ingested with 400 ml of water, 60 min before the beginning of exercise) in six healthy young male subjects. Plasma glucose and insulin concentrations significantly increased in response to G and S feeding. The high plasma insulin values resulted in a significant transient reduction in plasma glucose concentration in the first hour of exercise and blunted the response of plasma free fatty acid and glycerol concentrations, when compared to the values observed with F ingestion, which did not modify plasma glucose or insulin concentrations. Over the 2 h exercise period, the percentages of exogenous G (67 +/- 9%) and S (73 +/- 8%) oxidized were not significantly different but were significantly higher than the percentage of exogenous F oxidized (54 +/- 6%). These results confirm that 1) exogenous F is less readily available for oxidation than G or S and 2) pure corn starch does not offer any advantage over glucose as a pre-exercise meal.     

Comparaison de l'oxydation de glucose, d'un mélange de glucose et de fructose, et de saccharose ingérés en bolus ou en doses fractionnées au cours de l'exercice

The purpose of this study was to compare the oxidation rates ofisocaloric amounts of glucose (G), of a mixture of glucose and fructose (G+F), and of sucrose (S) ingested during prolonged exercise (120 min, 58 % V0₂max). The mode of ingestion, that is in a bolus at the onset of exercise or in fractionated doses during the exercise, was also investigated. Six young male subjects ingested a placebo (P), 100 g of G, 50 g of G + 50 g of F, or 95 g of S (13 % concentration) in fractionated doses during exercise, and 100 g of G and 50 g of G + 50 g of F in a bolus at the beginning of exercise. Blood samples were taken before and during the last minute of exercise period. Ingestion of carbohydrates (CHO) does not influence the blood glucose and insulin levels, but decreases by 50% the response of plasma free fatty acid concentration. During the 120-min exercise period, the amounts of ingested carbohydrates which were oxidized were similar for G (53 ± 5 g), G+F (57 ± 6 g) and S (50 ± 7 g). Exogenous CHO oxidation contributed to increasing the total CHO utilization (from 181 to 200 g/120 min) and to reducing fat oxidation (from 86 to 72 g/120 min). Ingestion of CHO as a bolus at the beginning of exercise does not influence G oxidation (58 ± 6 g) but significantly increased the oxidation of the mixture G+F (67 ± 6), probably by favoring fructose utilization which requires a delay. From a practical viewpoint, these results show that the oxidation of S, which is the most widely available oligosaccharide, is similar to that of G or a mixture of G+F. Moreover, in order to maximize exogenous CHO oxidation during exercise, CHO should be ingested early in the exercise period, and not in fractionated doses throughout the exercise period.     

Effect of carbohydrate feeding frequencies and dosage on muscle glycogen use during exercise

Nine men were studied during three 4-h cycling bouts to determine the effect of frequency and dosage of solid carbohydrate (CHO) feedings (86 g) on muscle glycogen utilization and exercise performance. In the frequency trial (F), the subjects ingested 10.75 g of CHO along with 200 ml of water at 30-min intervals; in the dosage trial (D), the subjects ingested 21.5 g of CHO with 400 ml of water at 60-min intervals. During the control trial (C), the subjects ingested 400 ml of an artificially sweetened placebo at 60-min intervals. Respiratory exchange ratios were significantly elevated in both trials D and F (P less than 0.05). Blood glucose was significantly elevated in trial D 20 min post-feeding but had returned to control levels by 50 min. In trial F, blood glucose was maintained at a constant level throughout the entire 4 h. In trial C, blood glucose declined steadily during the entire 4 h. Despite the differences in blood glucose levels between the three trials, there were no significant differences in the rate of muscle glycogen utilization in any of the trials (D = 82.9 +/- 6.6 [SE] mmol X kg-1 vs C = 80.9 +/- 6.9 mmol X kg-1 vs F = 74.4 +/- 12.2 mmol X kg-1). In a sprint ride (100% VO2max) to exhaustion at the end of each trial, the subjects performed significantly longer in trial F compared to C (120.97 +/- 9.6 vs 81.0 +/- 7.1 s).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The effect of a preexercise meal on time to fatigue during prolonged cycling exercise

PURPOSE AND METHODS: Seven subjects exercised to exhaustion on a bicycle ergometer at a workload corresponding to an intensity of 70% maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). On one occasion (FED), subjects consumed a preexercise carbohydrate (CHO) containing breakfast (100 g CHO) 3 h before exercise. On the other occasion (FASTED), subjects exercised after an overnight fast. Exercise time to fatigue was significantly longer (P < 0.05) when subjects consumed the breakfast (136+/-14 min) compared with when they exercised in the fasted state (109+/-12 min). RESULTS: Pre- and post-exercise muscle glycogen concentrations, respiratory exchange ratio, carbohydrate and fat oxidation, and lactate and insulin concentrations were not significantly different between the two trials. Insulin concentrations decreased significantly (P < 0.05) from 4.7+/-0.05 microIU.mL(-1) to 2.8+/-0.4 microIU.mL(-1) in FED and from 6.6+/-0.6 microIU.mL(-1) to 3.7+/-0.6 microIU.mL(-1) in FASTED subjects and free fatty acid concentrations (FFA) increased significantly (P < 0.05) from 0.09+/-0.02 mmol.L(-1) to 1.4+/-0.6 mmol.L(-1) in FED and from 0.17+/-0.02 mmol.L(-) to 0.74+/-0.27 mmol.L(-1) in FASTED subjects over the duration of the trials. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the important finding of this study is the increased time to fatigue when subjects ingested the CHO meal with no negative effects ascribed to increased insulin concentrations and decreased FFA concentrations after CHO ingestion.     

Effects of a moderate glycemic meal on exercise duration and substrate utilization

PURPOSE: To determine whether eating a breakfast cereal with a moderate glycemic index could alter substrate utilization and improve exercise duration. METHODS: Six active women (age, 24 +/- 2 yr; weight, 62.2 +/- 2.6 kg; VO(2peak), 46.6 +/- 3.8 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1)) ate 75 g of available carbohydrate in the form of regular whole grain rolled oats (RO) mixed with 300 mL of water or water alone (CON). The trials were performed in random order and the meal or water was ingested 45 min before performing cycling exercise to exhaustion (60% of VO(2peak)). Blood samples were drawn for glucose, glucose kinetics, free fatty acids (FFA), glycerol, insulin, epinephrine (EPI), and norepinephrine (NE) determination. A muscle biopsy was obtained from the vastus lateralis muscle before the trial and immediately after exercise for glycogen determination. Glucose kinetics (Ra) were determined using a [6,6-(2)H] glucose tracer. RESULTS: Compared with CON, plasma FFA and glycerol levels were suppressed (P < 0.05) during the first 120 min of exercise for the RO trial. Respiratory exchange ratios (RER) were also higher (P < 0.05) for the first 120 min of exercise for the RO trial. At exhaustion, glucose, insulin, FFA, glycerol, EPI, NE, RER, and muscle glycogen were not different between trials. Glucose Ra was greater (P < 0.05) during the RO trial compared with CON (2.36 +/- 0.22 and 1.92 +/- 0.27 mg x kg(-1) x min(-1), respectively). Exercise duration was 5% longer during RO, but the mean times were not significantly different (253.6 +/- 6 and 242.0 +/- 15 min, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Increased hepatic glucose output before fatigue provides some evidence of glucose sparing after the breakfast cereal trial. However, exercise duration was not significantly altered, possibly because of the sustained suppression of lipid metabolism and increased carbohydrate utilization throughout much of the exercise period.     

Comparison of fructose and glucose ingestion before and during endurance cycling to exhaustion

BACKGROUND: Pre-exercise and exercise ingestion of fructose and glucose during cycling exercise were compared. METHODS: Experimental design: Seventeen trained subjects ingested a placebo prior to and during a cycling test to exhaustion at 75% VO2max (control group = CG). One week later, subjects were matched on exercise time to exhaustion (ETE) and assigned to a fructose group (FG) or a glucose group (GG). Subjects then performed a second cycling test to exhaustion, ingesting fructose or glucose doses. For all groups (CG, FG and GG), blood was drawn before and at timed intervals during exercise to determine glucose, lactate and free fatty acid (FFA) levels. RESULTS: The ETE for CG was less than either FG (p<0.02) or GG (p<0.001) but FG and GG were similar. FG and GG did not show any differences in blood lactate or blood FFA during the ETE. However, CG FFA levels were higher than those of FG (p<0.02) prior to exercise. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that fructose and glucose are of equal value in prolonging ETE in endurance cycling Ingesting fructose before and during exercise apparently provided a more constant supply of glucose to be available to the working muscles. The more stable blood glucose levels with fructose ingestion may be beneficial in reducing perceived exhaustion, and thereby allowing for an enhancement in exercise performance.     

Exercise and newer insulins: how much glucose supplement to avoid hypoglycemia?

PURPOSE: To determine the glucose supplement required to prevent hypoglycemia during moderate-intensity exercise in Type 1 diabetic patients using newer analog insulins. METHODS: Nine subjects performed 60 min of ergocycle exercise (50% VO2max), 3 h after a standard breakfast in three different conditions. Subjects were randomly assigned to preexercise liquid glucose supplement of 0 g of glucose (0G), 15 g of glucose (15G), and 30 g of glucose (30G). Blood glucose (BG) was measured before, during, and following the exercise. All subjects used Humulin N (N) and analog insulin Humalog (Lispro). A dextrose infusion was initiated when BG fell below 5 mmol x L(-1). RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the magnitude of the decrease in BG exercise-induced when comparing the three experimental conditions. However, the quantity of dextrose infused was significantly higher in the 0G (10.5 +/- 3.2 g) than in the 15G (3.5 +/- 1.8 g) or the 30G conditions (1.6 +/- 1.0 g). The addition of a glucose supplement (15G or 30G) significantly prolonged the delay before the need for dextrose infusion (31.7 +/- 7.5, 51.3 +/- 4.2, and 55.6 +/- 2.6 min; 0G, 15G, and 30G, respectively). The quantity of dextrose infusion was plotted against the three preexercise glucose supplements and a regression equation obtained. Solving this equation, a glucose supplement of 40 g was estimated in order to maintain BG levels within the normal range during and after exercise. CONCLUSION: For 60 min of late postprandial exercise followed by 60 min of recovery, an estimated 40 g of a liquid glucose supplement, ingested 15 min prior exercise, would seem likely to help maintain safe BG levels in subjects using N-Lispro.     

Metabolism and performance following carbohydrate ingestion late in exercise

To determine whether a single carbohydrate feeding could rapidly restore and maintain plasma glucose availability late in exercise, six trained cyclists were studied on two occasions during exercise to fatigue at 70 +/- 1% of VO2max. After 135 min of exercise, the men were fed either an artificially sweetened placebo or glucose polymers (3 g.kg-1 in a 50% solution). Prolonged exercise led to a decline in plasma glucose from 4.6 +/- 0.1 mM at rest to 3.9 +/- 0.2 mM after 135 min (P less than 0.05). Plasma glucose decreased further (P less than 0.05) to 3.2 +/- 2.0 mM at fatigue following placebo ingestion but increased (P less than 0.05) and was then maintained at 4.5-4.9 mM following carbohydrate ingestion. Respiratory exchange ratio (R) fell gradually during the placebo trial from 0.88 +/- 0.01 after 10 min of exercise to 0.81 +/- 0.01 at fatigue (P less than 0.01). R also reached a minimum of 0.81-0.82 in each subject after 135-180 min of exercise during the carbohydrate feeding trial but increased again to 0.84-0.86 as plasma glucose rose following the carbohydrate feeding. Exercise time to fatigue was 21% longer (205 +/- 17 vs 169 +/- 12 min; P less than 0.01) during the carbohydrate ingestion trial. Plasma insulin did not increase significantly, whereas plasma free fatty acids and blood glycerol plateaued following carbohydrate ingestion. These data indicate that a single carbohydrate feeding late in exercise can supply sufficient carbohydrate to restore euglycemia and increase carbohydrate oxidation, thereby delaying fatigue.     

Improved insulin sensitivity in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism after physical training

To estimate physical training effects quantitatively, the relationship between tissue sensitivity to exogenous insulin (glucose metabolism determined by euglycemic insulin-clamp technique) and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) was defined in 9 well-trained athletes and 14 untrained subjects with normal glucose tolerance. Tissue sensitivity to exogenous insulin in the athletes was significantly higher than in the controls (P less than 0.001). Seven untrained subjects continued the physical exercise program. After physical training for 1 month, glucose metabolism increased from 40.3 +/- 3.9 mumol/kg/min to 42.2 +/- 4.4 mumol/kg/min (P less than 0.05) and VO2 max also increased significantly (P less than 0.05). During euglycemic hyperinsulinemia, both plasma FFA (P less than 0.001) and glycerol (P less than 0.05) decreased rapidly after physical training. Glucose metabolism directly correlated with VO2 max (P less than 0.001). These results suggest that the euglycemic insulin-clamp technique provides a reliable estimate of training effects, tissue sensitivity to physiologic hyperinsulinemia is 46% higher in trained athletes, and physical training improves insulin sensitivity not only in glucose metabolism but also in lipid metabolism.     

Effects of preexercise feedings on endurance performance

Eight male and female students were studied during exercise to exhaustion on a bicycle ergometer at 80 and 100% of Vo2max following the ingestion of water (W), 75 g of glucose (G) or a liquid meal (M) (10 g protein, 12.5 g fat, 15 g CHO). When compared to the endurance ride (80% Vo2max) in the W treatment, endurance performance time was reduced by 19%, (p less than .05) (53.2 to 43.2 min) as a result of the preexercise glucose feeding (Trial G). No difference in performance at 80% Vo2max was found between the W and M trials. The preexercise feedings had no effect on exercise time to exhaustion at 100% Vo2max. During the G and M trials at 80% Vo2max, most of the subjects demonstrated a transient decline in serum glucose (less than 3.5 mM). After 30-40 min. of exercise, however, serum glucose returned to normal and was seldom low at the time of exhaustion. Serum free fatty acids (FFA) were depressed throughout the G trial. The results of these experiments indicate impaired lipid mobilization following CHO ingestion. The present data support our earlier findings (11) which demonstrate that glucose feedings 30-45 minutes before endurance exercise increase the rate of CHO oxidation and impede the mobilization of FFA, thereby reducing exercise time to exhaustion.     

Effect of pre-exercise fructose ingestion on endurance performance in fed men

Twelve trained males, in a fed state, were studied to examine the effect of pre-exercise fructose ingestion on endurance capacity during prolonged cycling exercise. Sixty minutes prior to exercise, subjects ingested either 60 or 85 g fructose or a sweet placebo. Mean exercise intensity initially required 62% of the maximal aerobic power and thereafter increased to elicit 72 and 81% of maximal aerobic power at 90 and 120 min of exercise, respectively. Exercise time (mean +/- SE) to exhaustion was significantly increased after fructose ingestion, as compared to placebo ingestion (145 +/- 4 vs 132 +/- 3 min, P less than 0.01). During the exercise, no differences were observed between both trials for oxygen uptake, heart rate, or perceived exertion. Serum glucose and insulin levels between both trials were not significantly different throughout the experiment. There were also no significant differences in serum-free fatty acids and glycerol levels as well as respiratory exchange ratio between fructose and placebo trials during the exercise. The results suggest that fructose ingestion is of benefit before prolonged exercise, because it provides a carbohydrate source to contracting muscles without transient hypoglycemia and a depression of fat utilization, and thereby delays the fatigue.     

Carbohydrate feeding before exercise: effect of glycemic index

Low glycemic index (GI) foods may confer an advantage when eaten before prolonged strenuous exercise by providing a slow-release source of glucose to the blood without an accompanying insulin surge. To test this hypothesis, eight trained cyclists pedalled to exhaustion one hour after ingestion of equal carbohydrate portions of four test meals: lentils, a low GI food (LGI); potato, a high GI food (HGI), and glucose and water. Plasma glucose and insulin levels were lower after LGI than after HGI from 30 to 60 min after ingestion (p less than 0.05). Plasma free fatty acid (FFA) levels were highest after water (p less than 0.05) followed by LGI and then glucose and HGI. From 45 to 60 min after ingestion, plasma lactate was higher in the HGI trial than in the LGI trial (p less than 0.05) and remained higher throughout the period of exercise. The rank order from lowest to highest for total carbohydrate oxidation during exercise was water, lentils, glucose and potato. Endurance time was 20 min longer after LGI than after HGI (p less than 0.05). These findings suggest that a low GI pre-game meal may prolong endurance during strenuous exercise by inducing less post-prandial hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia, lower levels of plasma lactate before and during exercise, and by maintaining plasma glucose and FFA at higher levels during critical periods of exercise.     

Gastric emptying during prolonged cycling exercise in the heat

Eight trained male cyclists (age 20-33 yr) completed four 3-h bouts of cycling at 60% peak VO2 in the heat (33 degrees C) drinking either water (W), 5% glucose (G), 5% glucose polymer (GP), or 3.2% glucose polymer + 1.8% fructose (GP/F) at a rate of 350 ml every 20 min (3.15 l total volume). Similar changes in heart rate, sweat rate, rectal and mean skin temperatures, and plasma [Na+], [K+], and osmolality were observed during all trials. Mean changes in plasma volume, although not significantly different between trials, were lowest for the GP/F drink (-2.6%) and greatest for the G (-8.1%) drink. Plasma volume decreased (P less than 0.05) below pre-exercise control values during the W, G, and GP trails but was maintained at control values during the GP/F trials. In contrast to water ingestion, G, GP, and GP/F ingestion maintained plasma glucose and respiratory exchange ratios throughout the 3-h exercise bouts. Gastric residual volume (GRV) obtained at the end of exercise was similar for the W, GP, and GP/F trials. The G trials yielded greater (P less than 0.05) GRV than W trials. For all drinks ingested, over 90% of the 3.15 l consumed was emptied from the stomach during the 3-h exercise bouts. At a mean sweat rate of 1.2 l.h-1, cyclists replaced 73% of fluid lost and experienced only a 1.6% loss in body weight. This study demonstrates that, during prolonged (3-h) cycling exercise in the heat, large volumes of W and 5% carbohydrate can be emptied from the stomach to help minimize the effects of dehydration.     

Responses to varying rates of carbohydrate ingestion during exercise

The purpose of this study was to determine how the ingestion of carbohydrate at varying rates influences physiological, sensory, and performance responses to prolonged exercise at 65-75% VO2max. Ten subjects ingested either a water placebo (WP) or carbohydrate solutions formulated to provide glucose at the rates of 26, 52, and 78 g, h-1 during 2 h of cycling exercise in a cool (10 degrees C) environment. Beverages were administered in a double-blind, counterbalanced design. A 4.8 km performance test followed each 2 h session. The average time required to complete the performance test was less with the carbohydrate feedings than with WP: mean (+/- SE) for WP = 505.0 +/- 18.7 s. 26 g.h(-1) = 476.0* +/- 8.8 s. 52 g.h(-1) = 483.8 +/- 12.7 s. 78 g.h(-1) = 474.3* +/- 19.1 s; *P less than 0.05 vs WP. Carbohydrate feeding resulted in higher plasma glucose and insulin, and lower free fatty acid concentrations than did WP. Changes in plasma osmolality, plasma volume, rectal temperature, lactate, heart rate, respiratory exchange ratio, ratings of perceived exertion, and sensory responses were similar among beverage treatments. Compared with WP, ingestion of the glucose beverages minimized changes in plasma ACTH and cortisol. In summary, carbohydrate feeding at the rates of 26 and 78 g.h(-1) was associated with improved exercise performance. The data further indicate that a dose-response relationship does not exist between the amount of carbohydrate consumed during exercise and exercise performance.     

Effect of carbohydrate ingestion on exercise endurance and metabolism after a 1-day fast

Fasting before an exercise event has been demonstrated to decrease endurance. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether this decrement in performance after fasting could be reversed by ingestion of a carbohydrate solution before and during exercise. Nine fit male subjects ran to exhaustion at approximately 70% VO2max in two counterbalanced trials. The subjects were fasted for 21 h before both trials, and the trials were arranged so that the subjects ingested either a carbohydrate (CHO) or placebo (PL) solution. Although ratings of perceived exertion were significantly lower in the CHO trial, there were no differences in endurance time to exhaustion in the two trials (102 +/- 8 min in the PL trial and 106 +/- 8 min in the CHO trial). There were no differences between trials for the VO2, heart rate, and blood lactate concentrations. As expected, the blood glucose and insulin concentrations were higher in the CHO trial. The respiratory exchange ratio was significantly higher in the CHO trial at 40 min of exercise and tended to be higher at all other times, suggesting a greater reliance on carbohydrate and less on fat as an energy source. This seemed to be confirmed by the significantly lower plasma glycerol concentration, which suggested less fat mobilization in the CHO trial. Ingestion of a glucose polymer solution increased carbohydrate utilization in fasted subjects, but exercise performance was not improved.