Effects of 4 weeks of creatine supplementation in junior swimmers on freestyle sprint and swim bench performance

To determine whether 4 weeks of oral creatine (Cr) supplementation could enhance single freestyle sprint and swim bench performance in experienced competitive junior swimmers, 10 young men and 10 young women (x age = 16.4 +/- 1.8 years) participated in a 27-day supplementation period and pre- and posttesting sessions. In session 1 (presupplementation testing), subjects swam one 50-m freestyle and then (after approximately 5 minutes of active recovery) one 100-m freestyle at maximum speed. Blood lactate was measured before and 1 minute after each swim trial. Forty-eight hours later, height, mass, and the sum of 6 skinfolds were recorded, and a Biokinetic Swim Bench total work output test (2 x 30-second trials, with a 10-minute passive recovery in between) was undertaken. After the pretests were completed, participants were divided into 2 groups (n = 10, Cr; and n = 10, placebo) by means of matched pairs on the basis of gender and 50-m swim times. A Cr loading phase of 20 g x d(-1) for 5 days was then instituted, followed by a maintenance phase of 5 g x d(-1) for 22 days. Postsupplementation testing replicated the presupplementation tests. Four weeks of Cr supplementation did not influence single sprint performance in the pool or body mass and composition. However, 30-second swim bench total work scores for trial 1 and trial 2 increased after Cr (p < 0.05) but not placebo ingestion. Postexercise blood lactate values were not different after supplementation for the 50- and 100-m sprint trials either within or between groups. It was concluded that 4 weeks of Cr supplementation did not significantly improve single sprint performance in competitive junior swimmers, but it did enhance swim bench test performance.     

Effects of taper on swimming force and swimmer performance after an experimental ten-week training program

The purpose of this research was to examine how an 11-day taper after an 8.5-week experimental training cycle affected lactate levels during maximal exercise, mean force, and performance in training swimmers, independent of shaving, psychological changes, and postcompetition effects. Fourteen competition swimmers with shaved legs and torsos were recruited from the S?o Paulo Aquatic Federation. The training cycle consisted of a basic training period (endurance and quality phases) of 8.5 weeks, with 5,800 m.d(-1) mean training volume and 6 d.wk(-1) frequency; and a taper period (TP) of 1.5 weeks' duration that incorporated a 48% reduction in weekly volume without altering intensity. Attained swimming force (SF) and maximal performance over 200-m maximal swim (Pmax) before and after taper were measured. After taper, SF and Pmax improved 3.6 and 1.6%, respectively (p < 0.05). There were positive correlations (p < 0.05) between SF and Pmax before (r = 0.86) and after (r = 0.83) the taper phase. Peak lactate concentrations after SF were unaltered before (6.79 +/- 1.2 mM) and after (7.15 +/- 1.8 mM) TP. Results showed that TP improved mean swimming velocity, but not in the same proportion as force after taper, suggesting that there are other factors influencing performance in faster swimming.     

Carbohydrate loading failed to improve 100-km cycling performance in a placebo-controlled trial.

We evaluated the effect of carbohydrate (CHO) loading on cycling performance that was designed to be similar to the demands of competitive road racing. Seven well-trained cyclists performed two 100-km time trials (TTs) on separate occasions, 3 days after either a CHO-loading (9 g CHO. kg body mass(-1). day(-1)) or placebo-controlled moderate-CHO diet (6 g CHO. kg body mass(-1). day(-1)). A CHO breakfast (2 g CHO/kg body mass) was consumed 2 h before each TT, and a CHO drink (1 g CHO. kg(.)body mass(-1). h(-1)) was consumed during the TTs to optimize CHO availability. The 100-km TT was interspersed with four 4-km and five 1-km sprints. CHO loading significantly increased muscle glycogen concentrations (572 +/- 107 vs. 485 +/- 128 mmol/kg dry wt for CHO loading and placebo, respectively; P < 0.05). Total muscle glycogen utilization did not differ between trials, nor did time to complete the TTs (147.5 +/- 10.0 and 149.1 +/- 11.0 min; P = 0.4) or the mean power output during the TTs (259 +/- 40 and 253 +/- 40 W, P = 0.4). This placebo-controlled study shows that CHO loading did not improve performance of a 100-km cycling TT during which CHO was consumed. By preventing any fall in blood glucose concentration, CHO ingestion during exercise may offset any detrimental effects on performance of lower preexercise muscle and liver glycogen concentrations. Alternatively, part of the reported benefit of CHO loading on subsequent athletic performance could have resulted from a placebo effect.     

Dry-land strength training vs. electrical stimulation in sprint swimming performance

This study was undertaken to compare the effects of dry-land strength training vs. an electrical stimulation program on swimmers. Twenty-four national-level swimmers were randomly assigned to 3 groups: the dry-land strength training program (S), the electrical stimulation training program (ES), and the control (C) group. The training program lasted 4 weeks. The subjects were evaluated before the training, at the end of the training program, and 4 weeks later. The outcome values ascertained were peak torque during arm extension at different velocities (from -60 to 180°·s(-1)) using an isokinetic dynamometer and performance, stroke rate, and stroke length during a 50-m front crawl. A significant increase in swimming velocity and peak torque was observed for both S and ES at the end of the training and 4 weeks later. Stroke length increased in the S group but not in the ES group. However, no significant differences in swimming velocity between S and ES groups were observed. No significant changes occurred in the C group. Programs combining swimming training with dry-land strength or electrical stimulation programs led to a similar gain in sprint performance and were more efficient than swimming alone.     

Effects of creatine supplementation on the performance and body composition of competitive swimmers

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of creatine supplementation on performance and body composition of swimmers. Eighteen swimmers were evaluated in terms of post-performance lactate accumulation, body composition, creatine and creatinine excretion, and serum creatinine concentrations before and after creatine or placebo supplementation. No significant differences were observed in the marks obtained in swimming tests after supplementation, although lactate concentrations were higher in placebo group during this period. In the creatine-supplemented group, urinary creatine, creatinine, and body mass, lean mass and body water were significantly increased, but no significant difference in muscle or bone mass was observed. These results suggest that creatine supplementation cannot be considered to be an ergogenic supplement ensuring improved performance and muscle mass gain in swimmers.     

The effects of carbohydrate loading on repetitive jump squat power performance

The beneficial role of carbohydrate (CHO) supplementation in endurance exercise is well documented. However, only few data are available on the effects of CHO loading on resistance exercise performance. Because of the repetitive use of high-threshold motor units, it was hypothesized that the power output (power-endurance) of multiple sets of jump squats would be enhanced following a high-CHO (6.5 g CHO kg body mass(-1)) diet compared to a moderate-CHO (4.4 g CHO kg body mass(-1)) diet. Eight healthy men (mean +/- SD: age 26.3 +/- 2.6 years; weight 73.0 +/- 6.3 kg; body fat 13.4 +/- 5.0%; height 178.2 +/- 6.1 cm) participated in 2 randomly assigned counterbalanced supplementation periods of 4 days after having their free-living habitual diet monitored. The resistance exercise test consisted of 4 sets of 12 repetitions of maximal-effort jump squats using a Plyometric Power System unit and a load of 30% of 1 repetition maximum (1RM). A 2-minute rest period was used between sets. Immediately before and after the exercise test, a blood sample was obtained to determine the serum glucose and blood lactate concentrations. No significant difference in power performance existed between the 2 diets. As expected, there was a significant (p 相似文献   

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.     

Role of submaximal exercise in promoting creatine and glycogen accumulation in human skeletal muscle.

We examined the effect of glycogen-depleting exercise on subsequent muscle total creatine (TCr) accumulation and glycogen resynthesis during postexercise periods when the diet was supplemented with carbohydrate (CHO) or creatine (Cr) + CHO. Fourteen subjects performed one-legged cycling exercise to exhaustion. Muscle biopsies were taken from the exhausted (Ex) and nonexhausted (Nex) limbs after exercise and after 6 h and 5 days of recovery, during which CHO (CHO group, n = 7) or Cr + CHO (Cr+CHO group, n = 7) supplements were ingested. Muscle TCr concentration ([TCr]) was unchanged in both groups 6 h after supplementation commenced but had increased in the Ex (P < 0.001) and Nex limbs (P < 0.05) of the Cr+CHO group after 5 days. Greater TCr accumulation was achieved in the Ex limbs (P < 0.01) of this group. Glycogen was increased above nonexercised concentrations in the Ex limbs of both groups after 5 days, with the concentration being greater in the Cr+CHO group (P = 0.06). Thus a single bout of exercise enhanced muscle Cr accumulation, and this effect was restricted to the exercised muscle. However, exercise also diminished CHO-mediated insulin release, which may have attenuated insulin-mediated muscle Cr accumulation. Ingesting Cr with CHO also augmented glycogen supercompensation in the exercised muscle.     

The effects of creatine loading on thermoregulation and intermittent sprint exercise performance in a hot humid environment

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects creatine (Cr) loading may have on thermoregulatory responses during intermittent sprint exercise in a hot/humid environment. Ten physically active, heat-acclimatized men performed 2 familiarization sessions of an exercise test consisting of a 30-minute low-intensity warm-up followed by 6 x 10 second maximal sprints on a cycle ergometer in the heat (35 degrees C, 60% relative humidity). Subjects then participated in 2 different weeks of supplementation. The first week, subjects ingested 5 g of a placebo (P, maltodextrin) in 4 flavored drinks (20 g total) per day for 6 days and were retested on day 7. The second week was similar to the first except a similar dose (4 x 5 g/day) of creatine monohydrate (Cr) replaced maltodextrin in the flavored drinks. Six days of Cr supplementation produced a significant increase in body weight (+1.30 +/- 0.63 kg), whereas the P did not (+0.11 +/- 0.52 kg). Compared to preexercise measures, the exercise test in the heat produced a significant increase in core temperature, a loss of body water determined by body weight change during exercise, and a relative change in plasma volume (%PVC); however, these were not significantly different between P and Cr. Sprint performance was enhanced by Cr loading. Peak power and mean power were significantly higher during the intermittent sprint exercise test following 6 days of Cr supplementation. It appears that ingestion of Cr for 6 days does not produce any different thermoregulatory responses to intermittent sprint exercise and may augment sprint exercise performance in the heat.     

Assisted and resisted sprint training in swimming

This study was undertaken to determine whether the resisted-sprint in overstrength (OSt) or the assisted-sprint in overspeed (OSp) could be efficient training methods to increase 100-m front crawl performance. Thirty-seven (16 men, 21 women) competition-level swimmers (mean +/- SD: age 17.5 +/- 3.5 years, height 173 +/- 14 cm, weight 63 +/- 14 kg) were randomly divided into 3 groups: OSt, OSp, and control (C). All swimmers trained 6 days per week for 3 weeks, including 3 resisted or assisted training sessions per week for the groups OSt and OSp respectively. Elastic tubes were used to generate swimming overstrength and overspeed. Three 100-m events were performed before, during, and after the training period. Before each 100-m event, strength of the elbow flexors and extensors was measured with an isokinetic dynamometer. Stroke rate and stroke length were evaluated using the video-recorded 100-m events. In the OSt group, elbow extensor strength, swimming velocity, and stroke rate significantly increased (p < 0.05), while stroke length remained unchanged after the 3-week training period. In the OSp group, stroke rate significantly increased (p < 0.05) and stroke length significantly decreased (p < 0.05) without changes in swimming velocity. No significant variations in the C group were observed. Both OSt and OSp proved to be more efficient than the traditional training program. However, the OSt training program had a larger impact on muscle strength, swimming performance, and stroke technique than the OSp program.     

Effect of creatine supplementation on oxygen uptake kinetics during submaximal cycle exercise.

The purpose of this study was to test the effect of oral creatine (Cr) supplementation on pulmonary oxygen uptake (VO(2)) kinetics during moderate [below ventilatory threshold (VT)] and heavy (above VT) submaximal cycle exercise. Nine subjects (7 men; means +/- SD: age 28 +/- 3 yr, body mass 73.2 +/- 5.6 kg, maximal VO(2) 46.4 +/- 8.0 ml. kg(-1). min(-1)) volunteered to participate in this study. Subjects performed transitions of 6-min duration from unloaded cycling to moderate (80% VT; 8-12 repeats) and heavy exercise (50% change; i.e., halfway between VT and maximal VO(2); 4-6 repeats), both in the control condition and after Cr loading, in a crossover design. The Cr loading regimen involved oral consumption of 20 g/day of Cr monohydrate for 5 days, followed by a maintenance dose of 5 g/day thereafter. VO(2) was measured breath by breath and modeled by using two (moderate) or three (heavy) exponential terms. For moderate exercise, there were no differences in the parameters of the VO(2) kinetic response between control and Cr-loaded conditions. For heavy exercise, the time-based parameters of the VO(2) response were unchanged, but the amplitude of the primary component was significantly reduced with Cr loading (means +/- SE: control 2.00 +/- 0.12 l/min; Cr loaded 1.92 +/- 0.10 l/min; P < 0.05) as was the end-exercise VO(2) (control 2.19 +/- 0.13 l/min; Cr loaded 2.12 +/- 0.14 l/min; P < 0.05). The magnitude of the reduction in submaximal VO(2) with Cr loading was significantly correlated with the percentage of type II fibers in the vastus lateralis (r = 0.87; P < 0.01; n = 7), indicating that the effect might be related to changes in motor unit recruitment patterns or the volume of muscle activated.     

Performance of runners and swimmers after four weeks of intermittent hypobaric hypoxic exposure plus sea level training.

This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial examined the effects of 4 wk of resting exposure to intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (IHE, 3 h/day, 5 days/wk at 4,000-5,500 m) or normoxia combined with training at sea level on performance and maximal oxygen transport in athletes. Twenty-three trained swimmers and runners completed duplicate baseline time trials (100/400-m swims, or 3-km run) and measures for maximal oxygen uptake (VO(2max)), ventilation (VE(max)), and heart rate (HR(max)) and the oxygen uptake at the ventilatory threshold (VO(2) at VT) during incremental treadmill or swimming flume tests. Subjects were matched for sex, sport, performance, and training status and divided randomly between hypobaric hypoxia (Hypo, n = 11) and normobaric normoxia (Norm, n = 12) groups. All tests were repeated within the first (Post1) and third weeks (Post2) after the intervention. Time-trial performance did not improve in either group. We could not detect a significant difference between groups for a change in VO(2max), VE(max), HR(max), or VO(2) at VT after the intervention (group x test interaction P = 0.31, 0.24, 0.26, and 0.12, respectively). When runners and swimmers were considered separately, Hypo swimmers appeared to increase VO(2max) (+6.2%, interaction P = 0.07) at Post2 following a precompetition taper and increased VO(2) at VT (+8.9 and +12.1%, interaction P = 0.007 and 0.006, at Post1 and Post2). We conclude that this "dose" of IHE was not sufficient to improve performance or oxygen transport in this heterogeneous group of athletes. Whether there are potential benefits of this regimen for specific sports or training/tapering strategies may require further study.     

Swim performance following creatine supplementation in Division III athletes

Creatine (Cr) supplementation has yielded inconsistent results when applied to competitive swimming. To further define the role of Cr, we tested the hypothesis that a Cr supplementation group of Division III swimmers would demonstrate enhanced performance when compared with placebo. In order to test this hypothesis, 8 male and 7 female collegiate Division III swimmers were assigned in a random, double-blind manner into either a Cr supplementation group (0.3 g Cr.kg(-1) body mass) or a placebo group. Loading was maintained for 5 days followed by a 9-day period where Cr-supplemented subjects consumed 2.25 g Cr regardless of body weight. A 50- and 100-yd sprint was performed prior to and following the supplementation regimens. The Cr supplementation group decreased their finish times in both the 50- and 100-yd sprints. Support of the hypothesis suggests that Cr supplementation for swimming events is effective for singular effort sprints of 50 and 100 yd in Division III athletes.     

The effect of a high carbohydrate diet on running performance during a 30-km treadmill time trial

The purpose of the present study was to examine the influence of a high carbohydrate diet on running performances during a 30-km treadmill time trial. Eighteen runners (12 men and 6 women) took part in this study and completed a 30-km time trial on a level treadmill without modifying their food intake (trial 1). The runners were then randomly assigned to a control or a carbohydrate (CHO) group. The CHO group supplemented their normal diets with additional carbohydrate in the form of confectionery products during the 7 days before trial 2; the control group matched the increased energy intake of the CHO group by consuming additional fat and protein. The mean (SEM) carbohydrate intake of both groups was 334 (22) g before trial 1, after which the CHO group consumed 566 (29) g.day-1 for the first 3 days and 452 (26) g.day-1 for the remaining 4 days of recovery. Although there was no overall difference between the performance times for the two groups during trial 2, the CHO group ran faster during the last 5 km of trial 2 than during trial 1 [3.64 (0.24) m.s-1 vs 3.44 (0.26) m.s-1; P less than 0.05]. Furthermore, the 6 men in the CHO group ran the 30 km faster after carbohydrate loading [131.0 (5.4) min vs 127.4 (4.9) min; P less than 0.05], whereas there was no such improvement in times of the men in the control group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Muscle glycogen resynthesis during recovery from cycle exercise: no effect of additional protein ingestion.

In the present study, we have investigated the effect of carbohydrate and protein hydrolysate ingestion on muscle glycogen resynthesis during 4 h of recovery from intense cycle exercise. Five volunteers were studied during recovery while they ingested, immediately after exercise, a 600-ml bolus and then every 15 min a 150-ml bolus containing 1) 1.67 g. kg body wt(-1). l(-1) of sucrose and 0.5 g. kg body wt(-1). l(-1) of a whey protein hydrolysate (CHO/protein), 2) 1.67 g. kg body wt(-1). l(-1) of sucrose (CHO), and 3) water. CHO/protein and CHO ingestion caused an increased arterial glucose concentration compared with water ingestion during 4 h of recovery. With CHO ingestion, glucose concentration was 1-1.5 mmol/l higher during the first hour of recovery compared with CHO/protein ingestion. Leg glucose uptake was initially 0.7 mmol/min with water ingestion and decreased gradually with no measurable glucose uptake observed at 3 h of recovery. Leg glucose uptake was rather constant at 0.9 mmol/min with CHO/protein and CHO ingestion, and insulin levels were stable at 70, 45, and 5 mU/l for CHO/protein, CHO, and water ingestion, respectively. Glycogen resynthesis rates were 52 +/- 7, 48 +/- 5, and 18 +/- 6 for the first 1.5 h of recovery and decreased to 30 +/- 6, 36 +/- 3, and 8 +/- 6 mmol. kg dry muscle(-1). h(-1) between 1.5 and 4 h for CHO/protein, CHO, and water ingestion, respectively. No differences could be observed between CHO/protein and CHO ingestion ingestion. It is concluded that coingestion of carbohydrate and protein, compared with ingestion of carbohydrate alone, did not increase leg glucose uptake or glycogen resynthesis rate further when carbohydrate was ingested in sufficient amounts every 15 min to induce an optimal rate of glycogen resynthesis.     

Characteristics of elite open-water swimmers

Open-water swimming (5, 10, and 25 km) has many unique challenges that separate it from other endurance sports, like marathon running and cycling. The characteristics of a successful open-water swimmer are unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the physical and metabolic characteristics of a group of elite-level open-water swimmers. The open-water swimmers were participating in a 1-week training camp. Anthropometric, metabolic, and blood chemistry assessments were performed on the athletes. The swimmers had a VO(2)peak of 5.51 +/- 0.96 and 5.06 +/- 0.57 ml.kg(-1).min(-1) for males and females, respectively. Their lactate threshold (LT) occurred at a pace equal to 88.75% of peak pace for males and 93.75% for females. These elite open-water swimmers were smaller and lighter than competitive pool swimmers. They possess aerobic metabolic alterations that resulted in enhanced performance in distance swimming. Trainers and coaches should develop dry-land programs that will improve the athlete's muscular endurance. Furthermore, programs should be designed to increase the LT velocity as a percentage of peak swimming velocity.     

Protein- and carbohydrate-induced augmentation of whole body creatine retention in humans.

This study investigated the effect of creatine supplementation in conjunction with protein and/or carbohydrate (CHO) ingestion on plasma creatine and serum insulin concentrations and whole body creatine retention. Twelve men consumed 4 x 5 g of creatine on four occasions in combination with 1) 5 g of CHO, 2) 50 g of protein and 47 g of CHO, 3) 96 g of CHO, or 4) 50 g of CHO. The increase in serum insulin was no different when the protein-CHO and high-CHO treatments were compared, but both were greater than the response recorded for the low-CHO treatment (both P < 0.05). As a consequence, body creatine retention was augmented by approximately 25% for protein-CHO and high-CHO treatments compared with placebo treatment. The areas under creatine- and insulin-time curves were related during the first oral challenge (r = -0.920, P < 0.05) but not after the fourth (r = -0.342). It is concluded, first, that the ingestion of creatine in conjunction with approximately 50 g of protein and CHO is as effective at potentiating insulin release and creatine retention as ingesting creatine in combination with almost 100 g of CHO. Second, the stimulatory effect of insulin on creatine disposal was diminished within the initial 24 h of supplementation.     

Postexercise muscle glycogen resynthesis in obese insulin-resistant Zucker rats.

We determined the effect of an acute bout of swimming (8 x 30 min) followed by either carbohydrate administration (0.5 mg/g glucose ip and ad libitum access to chow; CHO) or fasting (Fast) on postexercise glycogen resynthesis in soleus muscle and liver from female lean (ZL) and obese insulin-resistant (ZO) Zucker rats. Resting soleus muscle glycogen concentration ([glycogen]) was similar between genotypes and was reduced by 73 (ZL) and 63% (ZO) after exercise (P < 0.05). Liver [glycogen] at rest was greater in ZO than ZL (334 +/- 31 vs. 247 +/- 16 micromol/g wet wt; P < 0.01) and fell by 44 and 94% after exercise (P < 0.05). The fractional activity of glycogen synthase (active/total) increased immediately after exercise (from 0.22 +/- 0.05 and 0.32 +/- 0.04 to 0.63 +/- 0.08 vs. 0.57 +/- 0.05; P < 0.01 for ZL and ZO rats, respectively) and remained elevated above resting values after 30 min of recovery. During this time, muscle [glycogen] in ZO increased 68% with CHO (P < 0.05) but did not change in Fast. Muscle [glycogen] was unchanged in ZL from postexercise values after both treatments. After 6 h recovery, GLUT-4 protein concentration was increased above resting levels by a similar extent for both genotypes in both fasted (approximately 45%) and CHO-supplemented (approximately 115%) rats. Accordingly, during this time CHO refeeding resulted in supercompensation in both genotypes (68% vs. 44% for ZL and ZO). With CHO, liver [glycogen] was restored to resting levels in ZL but remained at postexercise values for ZO after both treatments. We conclude that the increased glucose availability with carbohydrate refeeding after glycogen-depleting exercise resulted in glycogen supercompensation, even in the face of muscle insulin-resistance.     

Supplemental carbohydrate ingestion does not improve performance of high-intensity resistance exercise

The effects of supplemental carbohydrate (CHO) ingestion on the performance of squats to exhaustion (STE) were investigated with eight resistance-trained men. Subjects participated in a randomized, counterbalanced, double-blind, placebo-controlled protocol with testing separated by 7 days. Subjects consumed 0.3g.kgCHO.bodymass or a placebo (PLC) of equal volume immediately before exercise and after every other successful set of squats. The STE consisted of sets of five repetitions at an intensity of 85% 1 repetition maximum (1RM). Performance measured as total sets (CHO 3.5 +/- 3.2, PLC 3.5 +/- 2.7), repetitions (CHO 20.4 +/-14.9, PLC 19.7 +/- 13.1), volume load (CHO 2928.7 +/- 2219.5 kg, PLC 2772.8 +/- 1951.4 kg), and total work (CHO 29.9 +/- 22.3 kJ, PLC 28.6 +/- 19.5 kJ) was not statistically different between the CHO and PLC treatments. The results suggest that CHO supplementation does not enhance performance of squats performed with 85% 1RM to volitional failure.     

Effects of 4- and 8-h preexercise feedings on substrate use and performance

Seven well-trained male cyclists were studied during 105 min of cycling (65% of maximal oxygen uptake) and a 15-min "performance ride" to compare the effects of 4- and 8-h preexercise carbohydrate (CHO) feedings on substrate use and performance. A high CHO meal was given 1) 4-h preexercise (M-4), 2) 8-h preexercise (M-8), 3) 4-h preexercise with CHO feedings during exercise (M-4CHO), and 4) 8-h preexercise with CHO feedings during exercise (M-8CHO). Blood samples were obtained at 0, 15, 60, 105, and 120 min and analyzed for lactate, glucose, insulin, and glycerol. Total work output during the performance ride was similar for the M-4 (217,893 +/- 13,348 N/m) and M-8 trials (216,542 +/- 13,905) and was somewhat higher for the M-4CHO (223,994 +/- 14,387) and M-8CHO (224,702 +/- 15,709) trials (P = 0.059, NS). Glucose was significantly elevated throughout exercise, and insulin levels were significantly elevated at 15 and 60 min during M-4CHO and M-8CHO compared with M-4 and M-8 trials. Glycerol levels were significantly lower during the CHO feeding trials compared with placebo and were not significantly different during exercise when the subject had fasted an additional 4 h. The results of this study suggest that when preexercise meals are ingested 4 or 8 h before submaximal cycling exercise, substrate use and performance are similar.