Abstract
This study determined whether ingesting a carbohydrate-electrolyte solution (CES)
vs. progressive dehydration affected skeletal muscle glycogen use and performance
in ice hockey players during simulated ice hockey exercise comprised of 3 active “periods”.
Seven males (21.3±0.3 years, 184.7±1.2 cm, 84.2±3.9 kg, and 49.6±1.8 mL·kg−1·min−1) performed a hockey-specific protocol on two occasions and either dehydrated progressively
(NF), or stayed well-hydrated by ingesting a CES. Muscle biopsies were taken at rest,
before the 3rd period (P3), and after the final sprint in the protocol. Compared to dehydration
in the NF trial (−1.8% BM), CES ingestion enhanced voluntary performance (151.0±8.0
vs. 144.1±8.7 kJ) and glycogen use (177.5±31.1 vs. 103.5±16.2 mmol·kg dm−1), and reduced perceived exertion (16±1 vs. 18±1) in P3. Mean core temperature was
reduced by CES ingestion throughout the protocol (38.0±0.2 vs. 38.1±0.1°C). These
results suggest that compared to progressive dehydration, staying hydrated by ingesting
a CES helps preserve performance, while reducing thermal and perceptual strains, in
P3 of cycle-based simulation of ice hockey exercise. These benefits are observed despite
greater glycogen use in P3 with CES ingestion.
Key words
dehydration - ice hockey - hypohydration - sports drink - glycogen - performance
