Consumption of an oral carbohydrate-protein gel improves cycling endurance and prevents postexercise muscle damage.
Investigators have reported improved endurance performance and attenuated post-exercise muscle damage with carbohydrate-protein beverages (CHO+P) versus carbohydrate-only beverages (CHO). However, these benefits have been demonstrated only when CHO+P was administered in beverage-form, and exclusively in male subjects. Thus, the purposes of this study were to determine if an oral CHO+P gel improved endurance performance and post-exercise muscle damage compared to a CHO gel, and determine if responses were similar between genders. Thirteen cyclists (8 men, 5 women; VO(2)peak = 57.9 +/- 7.0 ml x kg(-1) x min(-1)) completed two timed cycle-trials to volitional exhaustion at 75% of VO(2)peak. At 15-minute intervals throughout these rides, subjects received CHO or CHO+P gels, which were matched for carbohydrate content (CHO = 0.15 g CHO x kg BW(-1); CHO+P = 0.15 g CHO + 0.038 g protein x kg BW(-1)). Trials were performed using a randomly counterbalanced, double-blind design. Subjects rode 13% longer (p < 0.05) when utilizing the CHO+P gel (116.6 +/- 28.5 minutes) versus the CHO gel (102.8 +/- 25.0 minutes). In addition, men (101.8 +/- 24.6; 114.8 +/- 26.2) and women (104.4 +/- 28.6; 119.6 +/- 34.9) responded similarly to the CHO and CHO+P trials, with no significant treatment-by-gender effect. Postexercise creatine kinease (CK) was not significantly different between treatments. However, CK increased significantly following exercise in the CHO trial (183 +/- 116; 267 +/- 214 U x L(-1)), but not the CHO+P trial (180 +/- 133; 222 +/- 141 U x L(-1)). Therefore, to prolong endurance performance and prevent increases in muscle damage, it is recommended that male and female cyclists consume CHO+P gels rather than CHO gels during and immediately following exercise.
Saunders
Michael J
MJ
Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807, USA. saundemj@jmu.edu
Luden
Nicholas D
ND
Herrick
Jeffrey E
JE
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001642:Bicycling; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000293:injuries*; D010807:Physical Endurance
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D005782:Gels; D003402:Creatine Kinase