title: The effect of carbohydrate ingestion on performance during a simulated soccer match.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated how performance was affected after soccer players, in a postprandial state, ingested a 7% carbohydrate (CHO) solution compared to a placebo (0% CHO) during a simulated soccer match.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a double-blind placebo-controlled design, 22 trained male league soccer players (age: 24 ± 7 years, wt: 73.4 ± 12.0 kg, VO2max: 51.8 ± 4.3 mL O2/kg/min) completed two trials, separated by 7 days, during which they ingested, in random order, 700 mL of either a 7% CHO or placebo drink during a simulated soccer match. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), agility, timed and run to fatigue were measured during the trials.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Change in agility times was not altered by CHO vs. placebo ingestion (0.57 ± 1.48 vs. 0.66 ± 1.00, p = 0.81). Timed runs to fatigue were 381 ± 267 s vs. 294 ± 159 s for the CHO and placebo drinks, respectively (p = 0.11). Body mass modified the relationship between time to fatigue and drink ingestion (p = 0.02 for drink × body mass), such that lower body mass was associated with increased time to fatigue when the players ingested CHO, but not placebo. RPE values for the final stage of the simulated soccer match were 8.5 ± 1.7 and 8.6 ± 1.5 for the CHO and placebo drinks respectively (p = 0.87).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The group data showed that the 7% CHO solution (49 g CHO) did not significantly improve performance during a simulated soccer match in league soccer players who had normal pre-match nutrition. However, when adjusting for body mass, increasing CHO intake was associated with improved time to fatigue during the simulated soccer match.
authors.affiliation: UCT/MRC Research Unit for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, University of Cape Town, P.O. Box 115, Newlands, 7725, Cape Town 7700, South Africa. julia.goedecke@uct.ac.za.
authors.forename: Julia H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Goedecke
authors.forename: Nicholas J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Waheed
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chicktay
authors.forename: Hafsa
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mahomed
authors.forename: Justin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Durandt
authors.forename: Michael I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Lambert
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D002149:Energy Intake; D005221:Fatigue; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates