Addition of protein and amino acids to carbohydrates does not enhance postexercise muscle glycogen synthesis.

Ingestion of a protein-amino acid mixture (Pro; wheat protein hydrolysate, leucine, and phenylalanine) in combination with carbohydrate (CHO; 0.8 g x kg(-1) x h(-1)) has been shown to increase muscle glycogen synthesis after exercise compared with the same amount of CHO without Pro. The aim of this study was to investigate whether coingestion of Pro also increases muscle glycogen synthesis when 1.2 g CHO. kg(-1). h(-1) is ingested. Eight male cyclists performed two experimental trials separated by 1 wk. After glycogen-depleting exercise, subjects received either CHO (1.2 g x kg(-1) x h(-1)) or CHO+Pro (1.2 g CHO x kg(-1) x h(-1) + 0.4 g Pro x kg(-1) x h(-1)) during a 3-h recovery period. Muscle biopsies were obtained immediately, 1 h, and 3 h after exercise. Blood samples were collected immediately after the exercise bout and every 30 min thereafter. Plasma insulin was significantly higher in the CHO+Pro trial compared with the CHO trial (P < 0.05). No difference was found in plasma glucose or in rate of muscle glycogen synthesis between the CHO and the CHO+Pro trials. Although coingestion of a protein amino acid mixture in combination with a large CHO intake (1.2 g x kg(-1) x h(-1)) increases insulin levels, this does not result in increased muscle glycogen synthesis.     

The Metabolic and Performance Effects of Caffeine Compared to Coffee during Endurance Exercise

There is consistent evidence supporting the ergogenic effects of caffeine for endurance based exercise. However, whether caffeine ingested through coffee has the same effects is still subject to debate. The primary aim of the study was to investigate the performance enhancing effects of caffeine and coffee using a time trial performance test, while also investigating the metabolic effects of caffeine and coffee. In a single-blind, crossover, randomised counter-balanced study design, eight trained male cyclists/triathletes (Mean±SD: Age 41±7y, Height 1.80±0.04 m, Weight 78.9±4.1 kg, VO₂ max 58±3 ml•kg⁻¹•min⁻¹) completed 30 min of steady-state (SS) cycling at approximately 55% VO₂max followed by a 45 min energy based target time trial (TT). One hour prior to exercise each athlete consumed drinks consisting of caffeine (5 mg CAF/kg BW), instant coffee (5 mg CAF/kg BW), instant decaffeinated coffee or placebo. The set workloads produced similar relative exercise intensities during the SS for all drinks, with no observed difference in carbohydrate or fat oxidation. Performance times during the TT were significantly faster (∼5.0%) for both caffeine and coffee when compared to placebo and decaf (38.35±1.53, 38.27±1.80, 40.23±1.98, 40.31±1.22 min respectively, p<0.05). The significantly faster performance times were similar for both caffeine and coffee. Average power for caffeine and coffee during the TT was significantly greater when compared to placebo and decaf (294±21 W, 291±22 W, 277±14 W, 276±23 W respectively, p<0.05). No significant differences were observed between placebo and decaf during the TT. The present study illustrates that both caffeine (5 mg/kg/BW) and coffee (5 mg/kg/BW) consumed 1 h prior to exercise can improve endurance exercise performance.     

Measurement of exogenous carbohydrate oxidation: a comparison of [U-14C]glucose and [U-13C]glucose tracers

The purpose of this study was to assess the level of agreement between two techniques commonly used to measure exogenous carbohydrate oxidation (CHO(EXO)). To accomplish this, seven healthy male subjects (24 +/- 3 yr, 74.8 +/- 2.1 kg, V(O2(max)) 62 +/- 4 ml x kg(-1) x min(-1)) exercised at 50% of their peak power for 120 min on two occasions. During these exercise bouts, subjects ingested a solution containing either 144 g glucose (8.7% wt/vol glucose) or water. The glucose solution contained trace amounts of both [U-13C]glucose and [U-14C]glucose to allow CHO(EXO) to be quantified simultaneously. The water trial was used to correct for background 13C enrichment. 13C appearance in the expired air was measured using isotope ratio mass spectrometry, whereas 14C appearance was quantified by trapping expired CO(2) in solution (using hyamine hydroxide) and adding a scintillator before counting radioactivity. CHO(EXO) measured with [13C]glucose ([13C]CHO(EXO)) was significantly greater than CHO(EXO) measured with [14C]glucose ([14C]CHO(EXO)) from 30 to 120 min. There was a 15 +/- 4% difference between [13C]CHO(EXO) and [14C]CHO(EXO) such that the absolute difference increased with the magnitude of CHO(EXO). Further investigations suggest that the difference is not because of losses of CO2 from the trapping solution before counting or an underestimation of the "strength" of the trapping solution. Previous research suggests that the degree of isotopic fractionation is small (S. C. Kalhan, S. M. Savin, and P. A. Adam. J Lab Clin Med89: 285-294, 1977). Therefore, the explanation for the discrepancy in calculated CHO(EXO) remains to be fully understood.     

Exogenous carbohydrate oxidation during ultraendurance exercise.

The purposes of this study were: 1) to obtain a measure of exogenous carbohydrate (CHO(Exo)) oxidation and plasma glucose kinetics during 5 h of exercise; and 2) to compare CHO(Exo) following the ingestion of a glucose solution (Glu) or a glucose + fructose solution (2:1 ratio, Glu+Fru) during ultraendurance exercise. Eight well-trained subjects exercised three times for 5 h at 58% maximum O2 consumption while ingesting either Glu or Glu+Fru (both delivering 1.5 g/min CHO) or water. The CHO used had a naturally high 13C enrichment, and five subjects received a primed continuous intravenous [6,6-2H2]glucose infusion. CHO(Exo) rates following the ingestion of Glu leveled off after 120 min and peaked at 1.24 +/- 0.04 g/min. The ingestion of Glu+Fru resulted in a significantly higher peak rate of CHO(Exo) (1.40 +/- 0.08 g/min), a faster rate of increase in CHO(Exo), and an increase in the percentage of CHO(Exo) oxidized (65-77%). However, the rate of appearance and disappearance of Glu continued to increase during exercise, with no differences between trials. These data suggest an important role for gluconeogenesis during the later stages of exercise. Following the ingestion of Glu+Fru, cadence (rpm) was maintained, and the perception of stomach fullness was reduced relative to Glu. The ingestion of Glu+Fru increases CHO(Exo) compared with the ingestion of Glu alone, potentially through the oxidation of CHO(Exo) in the liver or through the conversion to, and oxidation of, lactate.     

Metabolic response to green tea extract during rest and moderate-intensity exercise

BackgroundGreen tea catechins have been hypothesized to increase energy expenditure and fat oxidation by inhibiting catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and thus promoting more sustained adrenergic stimulation. Metabolomics may help to clarify the mechanisms underlying their putative physiological effects.ObjectiveThe study investigated the effects of 7-day ingestion of green tea extract (GTE) on the plasma metabolite profile at rest and during exercise.MethodsIn a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized, parallel study, 27 healthy physically active males consumed either GTE (n=13, 1200 mg catechins, 240 mg caffeine/day) or placebo (n=14, PLA) drinks for 7 days. After consuming a final drink (day 8), they rested for 2 h and then completed 60 min of moderate-intensity cycling exercise (56%±4% VO₂max). Blood samples were collected before and during exercise. Plasma was analyzed using untargeted four-phase metabolite profiling and targeted profiling of catecholamines.ResultsUsing the metabolomic approach, we observed that GTE did not enhance adrenergic stimulation (adrenaline and noradrenaline) during rest or exercise. At rest, GTE led to changes in metabolite concentrations related to fat metabolism (3-β-hydroxybutyrate), lipolysis (glycerol) and tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) cycle intermediates (citrate) when compared to PLA. GTE during exercise caused reductions in 3-β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations as well as increases in pyruvate, lactate and alanine concentrations when compared to PLA.ConclusionsGTE supplementation resulted in marked metabolic differences during rest and exercise. Yet these metabolic differences were not related to the adrenergic system, which questions the in vivo relevance of the COMT inhibition mechanism of action for GTE.     

No Evidence of Dehydration with Moderate Daily Coffee Intake: A Counterbalanced Cross-Over Study in a Free-Living Population

It is often suggested that coffee causes dehydration and its consumption should be avoided or significantly reduced to maintain fluid balance. The aim of this study was to directly compare the effects of coffee consumption against water ingestion across a range of validated hydration assessment techniques. In a counterbalanced cross-over design, 50 male coffee drinkers (habitually consuming 3–6 cups per day) participated in two trials, each lasting three consecutive days. In addition to controlled physical activity, food and fluid intake, participants consumed either 4×200 mL of coffee containing 4 mg/kg caffeine (C) or water (W). Total body water (TBW) was calculated pre- and post-trial via ingestion of Deuterium Oxide. Urinary and haematological hydration markers were recorded daily in addition to nude body mass measurement (BM). Plasma was analysed for caffeine to confirm compliance. There were no significant changes in TBW from beginning to end of either trial and no differences between trials (51.5±1.4 vs. 51.4±1.3 kg, for C and W, respectively). No differences were observed between trials across any haematological markers or in 24 h urine volume (2409±660 vs. 2428±669 mL, for C and W, respectively), USG, osmolality or creatinine. Mean urinary Na⁺ excretion was higher in C than W (p = 0.02). No significant differences in BM were found between conditions, although a small progressive daily fall was observed within both trials (0.4±0.5 kg; p<0.05). Our data show that there were no significant differences across a wide range of haematological and urinary markers of hydration status between trials. These data suggest that coffee, when consumed in moderation by caffeine habituated males provides similar hydrating qualities to water.     

Acceleration versus heart rate for estimating energy expenditure and speed during locomotion in animals: tests with an easy model species, Homo sapiens

An important element in the measurement of energy budgets of free-living animals is the estimation of energy costs during locomotion. Using humans as a particularly tractable model species, we conducted treadmill experiments to test the validity of tri-axial accelerometry loggers, designed for use with animals in the field, to estimate rate of oxygen consumption (VO2: an indirect measure of metabolic rate) and speed during locomotion. The predictive power of overall dynamic body acceleration (ODBA) obtained from loggers attached to different parts of the body was compared to that of heart rate (fH). When subject identity was included in the statistical analysis, ODBA was a good, though slightly poorer, predictor of VO2 and speed during locomotion on the flat (mean of two-part regressions: R2=0.91 and 0.91, from a logger placed on the neck) and VO2 during gradient walking (single regression: R2=0.77 from a logger placed on the upper back) than was fH (R2=0.96, 0.94, 0.86, respectively). For locomotion on the flat, ODBA was still a good predictor when subject identity was replaced by subject mass and height (morphometrics typically obtainable from animals in the field; R2=0.92 and 0.89) and a slightly better overall predictor than fH (R2=0.92 and 0.85). For gradient walking, ODBA predicted VO2 more accurately than before (R2=0.83) and considerably better than did fH (R2=0.77). ODBA and fH combined were the most powerful predictor of VO2 and speed during locomotion. However, ODBA alone appears to be a good predictor and suitable for use in the field in particular, given that accelerometry traces also provide information on the timing, frequency and duration of locomotion events, and also the gait being used.     

Low-fat diet alters intramuscular substrates and reduces lipolysis and fat oxidation during exercise

We determined whether a low-fat diet reduces intramuscular triglyceride (IMTG) concentration, whole body lipolyis, total fat oxidation, and calculated nonplasma fatty acid (FA) oxidation during exercise. Seven endurance-trained cyclists were studied over a 3-wk period during which time they exercised 2 h/day at 70% of maximum O2 uptake VO(2 max) and consumed approximately 4,400 kcal/day. During the 1st wk, their fat intake provided 32% of energy. During the 2nd and 3rd wk, they were randomly assigned to eat 2 or 22% of energy from fat (2%FAT or 22%FAT). Compared with 22%FAT, 2%FAT lowered IMTG concentration and raised muscle glycogen concentration at rest (P < 0.05). Metabolism was studied during 1 h of exercise at 67% VO(2 max) performed in the fasted state. 2%FAT resulted in a 27% reduction (P < 0.05) in total fat oxidation vs. 22%FAT without altering the stable isotopically determined rates of plasma free fatty acid or glucose disappearance. Therefore, 2%FAT reduced calculated nonplasma FA oxidation by 40% in association with a 19% reduction in whole body lipolysis while increasing calculated minimal muscle glycogen oxidation compared with 22%FAT (all P < 0.05). In summary, an extremely low fat (2% of energy) and high-carbohydrate diet lowers whole body lipolysis, total fat oxidation, and nonplasma FA oxidation during exercise in the fasted state in association with a reduced concentration of intramuscular triglyceride.     

Effect of training status on fuel selection during submaximal exercise with glucose ingestion.

In this study, an oral glucose load was enriched with a [U-(13)C]glucose tracer to determine differences in substrate utilization between endurance-trained (T) and untrained (UT) subjects during submaximal exercise at the same relative and absolute workload when glucose is ingested. Six highly trained cyclists/triathletes [maximal workload (Wmax), 400 +/- 9 W] and seven UT subjects (Wmax, 296 +/- 8 W) were studied during 120 min of cycling exercise at 50% Wmax ( approximately 55% maximal O(2) consumption). The T subjects performed a second trial at the mean workload of the UT group (148 +/- 4 W). Before exercise, 8.0 ml/kg of a (13)C-enriched glucose solution (80 g/l) was ingested. During exercise, boluses of 2.0 ml/kg of the same solution were administered every 15 min. Measurements were made in the 90- to 120-min period when a steady state was present in breath (13)CO(2) and plasma glucose (13)C enrichment. Energy expenditure was higher in T than in UT subjects (58 vs. 47 kJ/min, respectively; P < 0.001) at the same relative intensity. This was completely accounted for by an increased fat oxidation (0.57 vs. 0.40 g/min; P < 0.01). At the same absolute intensity, fat oxidation contributed more to energy expenditure in the T compared with the UT group (44 vs. 33%, respectively; P < 0.01). The reduction in carbohydrate oxidation in the T group was explained by a diminished oxidation rate of muscle glycogen (indirectly assessed by using tracer methodology at 0.72 +/- 0.1 and 1.03 +/- 0.1 g/min, respectively; P < 0.01) and liver-derived glucose (0.15 +/- 0.03 and 0.22 +/- 0.02 g/min, respectively; P < 0.05). Exogenous glucose oxidation rates were similar during all trials (+/-0.70 g/min).