Int J Sports Med 2008; 29(7): 598-606
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-989265
Nutrition

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Effect of CHO Loading Patterns on Running Performance

Y. Chen1 , S. H. S. Wong1 , X. XU2 , X. Hao2 , C. K. Wong3 , C. W. Lam3
  • 1Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
  • 2College of Sports Science and Physical Education, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
  • 3Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision August 25, 2007

Publication Date:
14 November 2007 (online)

Abstract

This study examined the influence of 3-day isoenergetic carbohydrate (CHO) loading with different glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) meals on running performance and metabolic responses. With a randomized crossover design, nine male runners performed a 1-h run at 70 % V·O2max followed by a 10-km performance run after a 3-day diet adaptation, which involved different GI and GL meals [CHO intake (%), GI, and GL per day were 73 %, 80, and 553 for the high GI and high GL (HH); 73 %, 36, and 249 for the low GI and low GL (LL); and 31 %, 79, and 227 for the high GI and low GL (HL), respectively]. There were no differences in the time to complete the 10-km run between the two high-CHO trials; however, the performance in the LL trial was improved as compared to that in the HL trial (mean ± SEM: HH vs. LL vs. HL: 51.3 ± 5.3 vs. 48.6 ± 1.3 vs. 55.3 ± 6.9 min). It appears that the amount, rather than the nature, of the CHO consumed during the 3-day isoenergetic CHO loading may be the most overriding factor on subsequent metabolism and endurance run performance.

References

  • 1 Andrews J L, Sedlock D A, Flynn M G, Navalta J W, Ji H. Carbohydrate loading and supplementation in endurance-trained women runners.  J Appl Physiol. 2003;  95 584-590
  • 2 Bishop N C, Walsh N P, Haines D L, Richards E E, Gleeson M. Pre-exercise carbohydrate status and immune responses to prolonged cycling: I. Effect on neutrophil degranulation.  Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2001;  11 490-502
  • 3 Bogardus C, Thuillez P, Ravussin E, Vasquez B, Narimiga M, Azhar S. Effect of muscle glycogen depletion on in vivo insulin action in man.  J Clin Invest. 1983;  72 1605-1610
  • 4 Bosher K J, Potteiger J A, Gennings C, Luebbers P E, Shannon K A, Shannon R M. Effects of different macronutrient consumption following a resistance-training session on fat and carbohydrate metabolism.  J Strength Cond Res. 2004;  18 212-219
  • 5 Brooks G A, Butterfield G E, Wolfe R R, Groves B M, Mazzeo R S, Sutton J R, Wolfel E E, Reeves J T. Decreased reliance on lactate during exercise after acclimatization to 4300 m.  J Appl Physiol. 1991;  71 333-341
  • 6 Burke L M, Gregory C R, Hargreaves M. Muscle glycogen storage after prolonged exercise: effect of the glycemic index of carbohydrate feedings.  J Appl Physiol. 1993;  75 1019-1023
  • 7 Burke L M, Hawley J A, Schabort E J, St Clair Gibson A, Mujika I, Noakes T D. Carbohydrate loading failed to improve 100-km cycling performance in a placebo-controlled trial.  J Appl Physiol. 2000;  88 1284-1290
  • 8 Chen Y J, Wong S H, Wong C K, Lam C W, Huang Y J, Siu P M. Effect of pre-exercise meals with different glycemic indices and glycemic loads on metabolic responses and endurance running performance.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2006;  38 S37
  • 9 Doyle J A, Martinez A L. Reliability of a protocol for testing endurance performance in runners and cyclists.  Res Q Exerc Sport. 1998;  69 304-307
  • 10 Chryssanthopoulos C, Williams C, Wilson W, Asher L, Hearne L. Comparison between carbohydrate feedings before and during exercise on running performance during a 30-km treadmill time trial.  Int J Sport Nutr. 1994;  4 374-386
  • 11 Coggan A R, Coyle E F. Reversal of fatigue during prolonged exercise by carbohydrate infusion or ingestion.  J Appl Physiol. 1987;  63 2388-2395
  • 12 Foster-Powell K, Holt S HA, Brand-Miller J C. International table of glycemic index and glycemic load values.  Am J Clin Nutr. 2002;  76 5-56
  • 13 Goforth Jr H W, Laurent D, Prusaczyk W K, Schneider K E, Petersen K F, Shulman G I. Effects of depletion exercise and light training on muscle glycogen supercompensation in men.  Am J Physiol. 2003;  285 E1304-E1311
  • 14 Helge J W, Watt P W, Richter E A, Rennie M J, Kiens B. Fat utilization during exercise: adaptation to a fat-rich diet increases utilization of plasma fatty acids and very low density lipoprotein-triacylglycerol in humans.  J Appl Physiol. 2001;  15 1009-1020
  • 15 Indar-Brown K, Noreberg C, Madar Z. Glycemic and insulinemic responses after ingestion of ethnic foods by NIDDM and healthy subjects.  Am J Clin Nutr. 1992;  55 89-95
  • 16 Jenkins D JA, Wolever T MS, Taylor R H, Barker H, Fielden H, Baldwin J M, Bowling A C, Newman H C, Jenkins A L, Goff D V. Glycaemic index of foods: a physiological basis for carbohydrate exchange.  Am J Clin Nutr. 1981;  34 362-366
  • 17 Jentjens R, Cale C, Gutch C, Jeukendrup A. Effects of pre-exercise ingestion of differing amounts of carbohydrate on subsequent metabolism and cycling performance.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2003;  88 444-452
  • 18 McArdle W D, Katch F I, Katch V L. Exercise Physiology: Energy, Nutrition, and Human Performance. 4th edn. Baltimore; Williams & Wilkins 1986
  • 19 Mikines K J, Sonne B, Tronier B, Galbo H. Effects of acute exercise and detraining on insulin action in trained men.  J Appl Physiol. 1989;  66 704-711
  • 20 Mittendorfer B, Sidossis L S. Mechanism for the increase in plasma triacylglycerol concentrations after consumption of short-term, high-carbohydrate diets.  Am J Clin Nutr. 2001;  73 892-899
  • 21 Salmeron J, Manson J E, Stampfer M J, Colditz G A, Wing A L, Willett W C. Dietary fiber, glycemic load, and risk of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in women.  J Am Med Assoc. 1997;  277 472-477
  • 22 Schrauwen P, Wagenmakers A J, van Marken Lichtenbelt W D, Saris W H, Westerterp K R. Increase in fat oxidation on a high-fat diet is accompanied by an increase in triglyceride-derived fatty acid oxidation.  Diabetes. 2000;  49 640-646
  • 23 Sherman W M, Costill D L, Fink W J, Miller J M. Effect of exercise-diet manipulation on muscle glycogen and its subsequent utilization during performance.  Int J Sports Med. 1981;  2 114-118
  • 24 Sherman W M, Costill D L, Fink W J, Hagerman F C, Armstrong L E, Murray T F. Effect of a 42.2-km footrace and subsequent rest or exercise on muscle glycogen and enzymes.  J Appl Physiol. 1983;  55 1219-1224
  • 25 Siu P M, Wong S H, Morris J G, Lam C W, Chung P K, Chung S. Effect of frequency of carbohydrate feedings on recovery and subsequent endurance run.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2004;  36 315-323
  • 26 Slyper A, Jurva J, Pleuss J, Hoffmann R, Gutterman D. Influence of glycemic load on HDL cholesterol in youth.  Am J Clin Nutr. 2005;  81 376-379
  • 27 Stevenson E, Williams C, McComb G, Oram C. Improved recovery from prolonged exercise following the consumption of low glycemic index carbohydrate meals.  Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2005;  15 333-349
  • 28 van Loon L J, Saris W H, Kruijshoop M, Wagenmakers A J. Maximizing postexercise muscle glycogen synthesis: carbohydrate supplementation and the application of amino acid or protein hydrolysate mixtures.  Am J Clin Nutr. 2000;  72 106-111
  • 29 van Loon L J, Greenhaff P L, Constantin-Teodosiu D, Saris W H, Wagenmakers A J. The effects of increasing exercise intensity on muscle fuel utilisation in humans.  J Physiol. 2001;  536 (Pt 1) 295-304
  • 30 Wee S L, Williams C, Gray S, Horabin J. Influence of high and low glycemic index meals on endurance running capacity.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1999;  31 393-399
  • 31 Wee S L, Williams C, Tsintzas K, Boobis L. Ingestion of a high-glycemic index meal increases muscle glycogen storage at rest but augments its utilization during subsequent exercise.  J Appl Physiol. 2005;  99 707-714
  • 32 Williams C, Brewer J, Walker M. The effect of a high carbohydrate diet on running performance during a 30-km treadmil time trial.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1992;  65 18-24

Prof. Stephen H. S. Wong

The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Department of Sports Science and Physical Education

G02, Kwok Sports Building, Shatin, Hong Kong

852 Hong Kong

China

Phone: + 85 2 26 09 60 95

Fax: + 85 2 26 03 57 81

Email: hsswong@cuhk.edu.hk

    >