The effect of dietary carbohydrate on running performance during a period of intensified training

Juul Achten, S Halson, L Moseley, Mark Rayson, A Casey, Asker Jeukendrup

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

126 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine whether consumption of a diet containing 8.5 g carbohydrate (CHO) . kg(-1) . day(-1) (high CHO; HCHO) compared with 5.4 g CHO . kg(-1) . day(-1) (control; Con) during a period of intensified training ( IT) would result in better maintenance of physical performance and mood state. In a randomized cross-over design, seven trained runners [maximal O-2 uptake ((V) over dot O-2 (max)) 64.7 +/- 2.6 ml . kg(-1) . min(-1)] performed two 11-day trials consuming either the Con or the HCHO diet. The last week of both trials consisted of IT. Performance was measured with a preloaded 8-km all-out run on the treadmill and 16-km all-out runs outdoors. Substrate utilization was measured using indirect calorimetry and continuous [U-C-13] glucose infusion during 30 min of running at 58 and 77% (V) over dot O-2 max. Time to complete 8 km was negatively affected by the IT: time significantly increased by 61 +/- 23 and 155 +/- 38 s in the HCHO and Con trials, respectively. The 16-km times were significantly increased ( by 8.2 +/- 2.1%) during the Con trial only. The Daily Analysis of Life Demands of Athletes questionnaire showed significant deterioration in mood states in both trials, whereas deterioration in global mood scores, as assessed with the Profile of Mood States, was more pronounced in the Con trial. Scores for fatigue were significantly higher in the Con compared with the HCHO trial. CHO oxidation decreased significantly from 1.7 +/- 0.2 to 1.2 +/- 0.2 g/min over the course of the Con trial, which was completely accounted for by a decrease in muscle glycogen oxidation. These findings indicate that an increase in dietary CHO content from 5.4 to 8.5 g CHO . kg(-1) . day(-1) (41 vs. 65% total energy intake, respectively) allowed better maintenance of physical performance and mood state over the course of training, thereby reducing the symptoms of overreaching.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1331-1340
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Applied Physiology
Volume96
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2004

Keywords

  • muscle glycogen
  • overtraining
  • [U-C-13] glucose

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