Effect of Low vs. High Carbohydrate Intake after Glycogen-Depleting Workout on Subsequent 1500 m Run Performance in High-Level Runners

Carbohydrate (CHO) metabolism is crucial for short-duration, high-intensity exercise performance, but the effects of variations in glycogen availability have not been investigated in field trials of trained athletes. This study was designed to test how 1500 m time trial (TT) performance is affected by the manipulation of pre-race glycogen reserves. Competitive middle-distance runners (<i>n</i> = 11 (4 females)) completed a 1500 m individually paced indoor TT after abundant (high, >5 g/kg/d) or restricted (low, <1.5 g/kg/d) dietary CHO intake for 2 days after a glycogen-depleting session. Stride pattern, heart rate (HR), capillary blood lactate, and glucose and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) response were determined. The TT was slower in low vs. high condition by 4.5 (4.5) s (~2%; <i>p</i> < 0.01), with a tendency toward shorter stride length. Blood lactate and glucose were lower before the TT in low vs. high condition (1.8 (0.5) vs. 2.2 (0.7) mmol/L and 5.4 (0.7) vs. 5.9 (0.8) mmol/L, <i>p</i> = 0.022 and 0.007, respectively), and peak lactate was higher in high vs. low condition (16.8 (3.1) vs. 14.5 (4.2) mmol/L, <i>p</i> = 0.039). Plasma MDA was the same before the TT, and 15 min after the TT, it increased similarly by 15% in low (<i>p</i> = 0.032) and high (<i>p</i> = 0.005) conditions. The restriction of pre-test CHO intake impaired 1500 m TT performance and reduced baseline and peak blood lactate concentrations but not blood glucose or MDA response.