The Effects of Medium-Chain Triacylglycerol and Carbohydrate Ingestion on Ultra-Endurance Exercise Performance

Author(s):  
Julia H. Goedecke ◽  
Virginia R. Clark ◽  
Timothy D. Noakes ◽  
Estelle V. Lambert

The aims of the study were to determine if medium-chain triacylglycerol (MCT), ingested in combination with carbohydrate (CHO), would alter substrate metabolism and improve simulated competitive ultra-endurance cycling performance. Eight endurance-trained cyclists took part in this randomized, single-blind crossover study. On two separate occasions, subjects cycled for 270 min at 50% of peak power output, interspersed with four 75 kJ sprints at 60 min intervals, followed immediately by a 200 kJ time-trial. One hour prior to the exercise trials, subjects ingested either 75 g of CHO or 32 g of MCT, and then ingested 200 mL of a 10% CHO (wt/vol) solution or a 4.3% MCT + 10% CHO (wt/vol) solution every 20 min during the CHO and MCT trials, respectively. During the constant-load phases of the 270 min exercise trial, VO2, RER, and heart rate were measured at 30 min intervals and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms were recorded. There was no difference in VO2 or RER between the MCT and CHO trials (P = 0.40). Hourly sprint (P = 0.03 for trial x time interaction) and time-trial times (14:30 ± 0.58 vs. 12:36 ± 1:6, respectively, P < 0.001) were slower in the MCT than the CHO trial. Half the subjects experienced GI symptoms with MCT ingestion. In conclusion, MCTs ingested prior to exercise and co-ingested with CHO during exercise did not alter substrate metabolism and significantly compromised sprint performance during prolonged ultra-endurance cycling exercise.

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 285-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael L. Newell ◽  
Angus M. Hunter ◽  
Claire Lawrence ◽  
Kevin D. Tipton ◽  
Stuart D. R. Galloway

In an investigator-blind, randomized cross-over design, male cyclists (mean± SD) age 34.0 (± 10.2) years, body mass 74.6 (±7.9) kg, stature 178.3 (±8.0) cm, peak power output (PPO) 393 (±36) W, and VO2max 62 (±9) ml·kg−1min−1 training for more than 6 hr/wk for more than 3y (n = 20) completed four experimental trials. Each trial consisted of a 2-hr constant load ride at 95% of lactate threshold (185 ± 25W) then a work-matched time trial task (~30min at 70% of PPO). Three commercially available carbohydrate (CHO) beverages, plus a control (water), were administered during the 2-hr ride providing 0, 20, 39, or 64g·hr−1 of CHO at a fluid intake rate of 1L·hr−1. Performance was assessed by time to complete the time trial task, mean power output sustained, and pacing strategy used. Mean task completion time (min:sec ± SD) for 39g·hr−1 (34:19.5 ± 03:07.1, p = .006) and 64g·hr−1 (34:11.3 ± 03:08.5 p = .004) of CHO were significantly faster than control (37:01.9 ± 05:35.0). The mean percentage improvement from control was −6.1% (95% CI: −11.3 to −1.0) and −6.5% (95% CI: −11.7 to −1.4) in the 39 and 64g·hr−1 trials respectively. The 20g·hr−1 (35:17.6 ± 04:16.3) treatment did not reach statistical significance compared with control (p = .126) despite a mean improvement of −3.7% (95% CI −8.8−1.5%). No further differences between CHO trials were reported. No interaction between CHO dose and pacing strategy occurred. 39 and 64g·hr−1 of CHO were similarly effective at improving endurance cycling performance compared with a 0g·hr−1 control in our trained cyclists.


2000 ◽  
Vol 88 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damien J. Angus ◽  
Mark Hargreaves ◽  
Jane Dancey ◽  
Mark A. Febbraio

This study examined the effectiveness of ingesting a carbohydrate or carbohydrate + medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) on metabolism and cycling performance. Eight endurance-trained men [peak O2 uptake = 4.71 ± 0.09 (SE) l/min] completed 35 kJ/kg as quickly as possible [time trial (TT)] while consuming 250 ml/15 min of either a 6% (wt/vol) carbohydrate solution (C), a 6% carbohydrate + 4.2% MCT solution (C+M), or a sweet placebo (P). Time to complete the set amount of work was reduced in both C and C+M compared with P by 7 and 5%, respectively (C: 166 ± 7 min; C+M: 169 ± 7 min; P: 178 ± 11 min; P < 0.01). Plasma glucose concentration was maintained at or above resting values throughout both C and C+M trials but decreased ( P < 0.05) below resting values in P at the completion of the TT. The estimated rate of carbohydrate oxidation was not different during the first 90 min of exercise but thereafter was reduced ( P < 0.05) in P and was maintained in both C and C+M. These data demonstrate that carbohydrate ingestion during exercise improves 100-km TT performance compared with a sweet placebo, but the addition of MCT does not provide any further performance enhancement.


Nutrients ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tuğba Kulaksız ◽  
Şükran Koşar ◽  
Suleyman Bulut ◽  
Yasemin Güzel ◽  
Marcus Willems ◽  
...  

2009 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew D. Williams ◽  
Isaac Selva Raj ◽  
Kristie L. Stucas ◽  
James W. Fell ◽  
Diana Dickenson ◽  
...  

Objectives:Uncoupled cycling cranks are designed to remove the ability of one leg to assist the other during the cycling action. It has been suggested that training with this type of crank can increase mechanical efficiency. However, whether these improvements can confer performance enhancement in already well-trained cyclists has not been reported.Method:Fourteen well-trained cyclists (13 males, 1 female; 32.4 ± 8.8 y; 74.5 ± 10.3 kg; Vo2max 60.6 ± 5.5 mL·kg−1·min−1; mean ± SD) participated in this study. Participants were randomized to training on a stationary bicycle using either an uncoupled (n = 7) or traditional crank (n = 7) system. Training involved 1-h sessions, 3 days per week for 6 weeks, and at a heart rate equivalent to 70% of peak power output (PPO) substituted into the training schedule in place of other training. Vo2max, lactate threshold, gross efficiency, and cycling performance were measured before and following the training intervention. Pre- and post testing was conducted using traditional cranks.Results:No differences were observed between the groups for changes in Vo2max, lactate threshold, gross efficiency, or average power maintained during a 30-minute time trial.Conclusion:Our results indicate that 6 weeks (18 sessions) of training using an uncoupled crank system does not result in changes in any physiological or performance measures in well-trained cyclists.


2000 ◽  
Vol 89 (6) ◽  
pp. 2220-2226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark A. Febbraio ◽  
Alison Chiu ◽  
Damien J. Angus ◽  
Melissa J. Arkinstall ◽  
John A. Hawley

We investigated the effect of carbohydrate (CHO) ingestion before and during exercise and in combination on glucose kinetics, metabolism and performance in seven trained men, who cycled for 120 min (SS) at ∼63% of peak power output, followed by a 7 kJ/kg body wt time trial (TT). On four separate occasions, subjects received either a placebo beverage before and during SS (PP); placebo 30 min before and 2 g/kg body wt of CHO in a 6.4% CHO solution throughout SS (PC); 2 g/kg body wt of CHO in a 25.7% CHO beverage 30 min before and placebo throughout SS (CP); or 2 g/kg body wt of CHO in a 25.7% CHO beverage 30 min before and 2 g/kg of CHO in a 6.4% CHO solution throughout SS (CC). Ingestion of CC and CP markedly (>8 mM) increased plasma glucose concentration ([glucose]) compared with PP and PC (5 mM). However, plasma [glucose] fell rapidly at the onset of SS so that after 80 min it was similar (6 mM) between all treatments. After this time, plasma [glucose] declined in both PP and CP ( P < 0.05) but was well maintained in both CC and PC. Ingestion of CC and CP increased rates of glucose appearance (Ra) and disappearance (Rd) compared with PP and PC at the onset of, and early during, SS ( P < 0.05). However, late in SS, both glucose Ra and Rd were higher in CC and PC compared with other trials ( P < 0.05). Although calculated rates of glucose oxidation were different when comparing the four trials ( P < 0.05), total CHO oxidation and total fat oxidation were similar. Despite this, TT was improved in CC and PC compared with PP ( P < 0.05). We conclude that 1) preexercise ingestion of CHO improves performance only when CHO ingestion is maintained throughout exercise, and 2) ingestion of CHO during 120 min of cycling improves subsequent TT performance.


2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 309-315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory T. Levin ◽  
Paul B. Laursen ◽  
Chris R. Abbiss

Purpose:To assess the reliability of a 5-min-stage graded exercise test (GXT) and determine the association between physiological attributes and performance over stochastic cycling trials of varying distance.Methods:Twenty-eight well-trained male cyclists performed 2 GXTs and either a 30-km (n = 17) or a 100-km stochastic cycling time trial (n = 9). Stochastic cycling trials included periods of high-intensity efforts for durations of 250 m, 1 km, or 4 km depending on the test being performing.Results:Maximal physiological attributes were found to be extremely reliable (maximal oxygen uptake [VO2max]: coefficient of variation [CV] 3.0%, intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] .911; peak power output [PPO]: CV 3.0%, ICC .913), but a greater variability was found in ventilatory thresholds and economy. All physiological variables measured during the GXT, except economy at 200 W, were correlated with 30-km cycling performance. Power output during the 250-m and 1-km efforts of the 30-km trial were correlated with VO2max, PPO, and the power output at the second ventilatory threshold (r = .58–.82). PPO was the only physiological attributed measured during the GXT to be correlated with performance during the 100-km cycling trial (r = .64).Conclusions:Many physiological variables from a reliable GXT were associated with performance over shorter (30-km) but not longer (100-km) stochastic cycling trials.


2013 ◽  
Vol 38 (12) ◽  
pp. 1217-1227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam J. Trewin ◽  
Aaron C. Petersen ◽  
Francois Billaut ◽  
Leon R. McQuade ◽  
Bernie V. McInerney ◽  
...  

We investigated the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on metabolism during fixed work rate high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) and self-paced 10-min time-trial (TT10) performance. Nine well-trained male cyclists (V̇O2peak, 69.4 ± 5.8 mL·kg−1·min−1; peak power output (PPO), 385 ± 43 W; mean ± SD) participated in a double-blind, repeated-measures, randomised crossover trial. Two trials (NAC supplementation and placebo) were performed 7 days apart consisting of 6 × 5 min HIIE bouts at 82% PPO (316 ± 40 W) separated by 1 min at 100 W, and then after 2 min of recovery at 100 W, TT10 was performed. Expired gases, venous blood, and electromyographic (EMG) data were collected. NAC did not influence blood glutathione but decreased lipid peroxidation compared with the placebo (P < 0.05). Fat oxidation was elevated with NAC compared with the placebo during HIIE bouts 5 and 6 (9.9 ± 8.9 vs. 3.9 ± 4.8 μmol·kg−1·min−1; P < 0.05), as was blood glucose throughout HIIE (4.3 ± 0.6 vs. 3.8 ± 0.6 mmol·L−1; P < 0.05). Blood lactate was lower with NAC after TT10 (3.3 ± 1.3 vs. 4.2 ± 1.3 mmol·L−1; P < 0.05). Median EMG frequency of the vastus lateralis was lower with NAC during HIIE (79 ± 10 vs. 85 ± 10 Hz; P < 0.05), but not TT10 (82 ± 11 Hz). Finally, NAC decreased mean power output 4.9% ± 6.6% (effect size = –0.3 ± 0.4, mean ± 90% CI) during TT10 (305 ± 57 W vs. 319 ± 45 W). These data suggest that NAC alters substrate metabolism and muscle fibre type recruitment during HIIE, which is detrimental to time-trial performance.


2007 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 315-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben Desbrow ◽  
Clare Minahan ◽  
Michael Leveritt

This study investigated whether a change in beverage favor during endurance cycling improves subsequent performance. Eight trained male athletes (age 24.3 ± 3.9 y, weight 74.7 ± 6.0 kg, peak O2 uptake [VO2peak] 65.4 ± 5.4 mL·kg−1·min−1; mean ± SD) undertook 3 trials, with training and diet being controlled. Trials consisted of 120 min of steady-state (SS) cycling at ~70% VO2peak, immediately followed by a 7-kJ/kg time trial (TT). During exercise subjects were provided with fluids every 20 min. After 80 min of SS cycling subjects either continued drinking the same-favor sports drink or changed to an alternate favor—either an alternate-favor sports drink (AFSD) or cola. All beverages were carbohydrate and volume matched. Changing drink favor caused no significant change in TT time (sports drink 27:16 ± 03:12, AFSD 27:06 ± 03:16, cola 27:03 ± 02:42; min: s). The various favors produced no treatment effects on heart rate, blood glucose, or rating of perceived exertion throughout the SS exercise protocol. The influence of other taste variables such as palatability, bitterness, or timing of favor change on endurance-exercise performance requires more rigorous investigation.


2018 ◽  
Vol 125 (6) ◽  
pp. 1731-1742 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ove Sollie ◽  
Per B. Jeppesen ◽  
Daniel S. Tangen ◽  
Fredrik Jernerén ◽  
Birgitte Nellemann ◽  
...  

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of protein and carbohydrate ingestion during early recovery from exhaustive exercise on performance after 18-h recovery. Eight elite cyclists (V̇o2max: 74.0 ± 1.6 ml·kg−1·min−1) completed two exercise and diet interventions in a double-blinded, randomized, crossover design. Participants cycled first at 73% of V̇o2max (W73%) followed by 1-min intervals at 90% of V̇o2max until exhaustion. During the first 2 h of recovery, participants ingested either 1.2 g carbohydrate·kg−1·h−1 (CHO) or 0.8 g carbohydrate + 0.4 g protein·kg−1·h−1 (CHO + PROT). The diet during the remaining recovery period was similar for both interventions and adjusted to body weight. After an 18-h recovery, cycling performance was assessed with a 10-s sprint test, 30 min of cycling at W73%, and a cycling time trial (TT). The TT was 8.5% faster (41:53 ± 1:51 vs. 45:26 ± 1:32 min; P < 0.03) after CHO + PROT compared with CHO. Mean power output during the sprints was 3.7% higher in CHO + PROT compared with CHO (1,063 ± 54 vs. 1,026 ± 53 W; P = 0.01). Nitrogen balance in the recovery period was negative in CHO and neutral in CHO + PROT (−82.4 ± 11.5 vs. 7.0 ± 15.4 mg/kg; P < 0.01). In conclusion, TT and sprint performances were improved 18 h after exhaustive cycling by CHO + PROT supplementation during the first 2 h of recovery compared with isoenergetic CHO supplementation. Our results indicate that intake of carbohydrate plus protein after exhaustive endurance exercise more rapidly converts the body from a catabolic to an anabolic state than carbohydrate alone, thus speeding recovery and improving subsequent cycling performance. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Prolonged high intensity endurance exercise depends on glycogen utilization and high oxidative capacity. Still, exhaustion develops and effective recovery strategies are required to compete in multiday stage races. We show that coingestion of protein and carbohydrate during the first 2 h of recovery is superior to isoenergetic intake of carbohydrate to stimulate recovery, and improves both endurance time-trial and 10-s sprint performance the following day in elite cyclists.


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