Beverage carbohydrate concentration influences the intermittent endurance capacity of adolescent team games players during prolonged intermittent running

Eur J Appl Physiol. 2012 Mar;112(3):1107-16. doi: 10.1007/s00421-011-2065-2. Epub 2011 Jul 12.

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of consuming a 2, 6, and 10% carbohydrate-electrolyte (CHO-E) solution on the intermittent endurance capacity and sprint performance of adolescent team games players. Seven participants (five males and two females; mean age 13.3 ± 0.5 years, height 1.71 ± 0.05 m, body mass (BM) 62.0 ± 6.3 kg) performed three trials separated by 3-7 days. In each trial, they completed four 15-min periods of part A of the Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test (LIST) followed by an intermittent run to exhaustion (part B). Participants consumed 5 ml kg(-1) BM of the solution during the 5-min pre-exercise period, and a further 2 ml kg(-1) BM every 15 min during part A of the LIST. Intermittent endurance capacity increased by 34% with ingestion of the 6% CHO-E solution compared with the 10% solution (5.5 ± 0.8 vs. 4.1 ± 1.5 min, P < 0.05), equating to a distance of 931 ± 172 versus 706 ± 272 m (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the 2% (4.8 ± 1.2 min) and 6% (P = 0.10) or the 2 and 10% solutions (P = 0.09). Carbohydrate concentration did not significantly influence mean 15-m sprint time (P = 0.38). These results suggest that the carbohydrate concentration of an ingested solution influences the intermittent endurance capacity of adolescent team games players with a 6% solution significantly more effective than a 10% solution.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Beverages* / analysis
  • Child
  • Dietary Carbohydrates / administration & dosage
  • Dietary Carbohydrates / analysis
  • Dietary Carbohydrates / pharmacology*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Osmolar Concentration
  • Periodicity
  • Physical Endurance / drug effects*
  • Physical Endurance / physiology
  • Play and Playthings*
  • Running* / physiology
  • Soccer / physiology
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Dietary Carbohydrates