Running Performance In Response To Different Forms Of Carbohydrate

One approach to significantly enhance physical performance is to delay the onset of central fatigue. Previous research has shown that rinsing the oral cavity with a nutritive carbohydrate-containing mouth rinse (MR) can improve performance outcomes by initiating a cephalic phase response, which stimulates reward centers in the brain that enhance motor control and delay fatigue. Liquid MR solutions can be troublesome to store and carry during training or exercise events and disrupt breathing patterns during the actual swishing of the solution. Therefore, assessing different modalities of introducing carbohydrates (such as a dissolving mouth strip) to the mouth's taste receptors could significantly impact athletic success. PURPOSE: To establish how carbohydrates delivered in different forms (MR versus dissolvable strip (DS)) affect running performance, perceived exertion, and other physiologic measures during a 12.8 km running time trial (TT). METHODS: In an ongoing randomized, controlled crossover trial, 11 normal weight endurance-trained athletes (9 male, 2 female) aged 18-45y were enrolled in a TT intervention. There were four visits: a baseline visit (V1) for anthropometric measurements and familiarization with the treatments/exercise protocol and the three testing visits (V2-V4), which consisted of a 12.8 km running TT on a motorized treadmill, with the only difference between visits being the treatment condition. Either a carbohydrate MR solution (CMR), water MR solution as a control (WMR), or carbohydrate DS (CDS) were administered at each visit in a randomized order. For the TT, runners self-selected their pace and were instructed to complete the TT as quickly as possible. Participants were not able to see their speed but could access the speed buttons. They could see the distance covered to adjust speed accordingly. RESULTS: Average mile splits were significantly faster following CDS and CMR vs. WMR (p = 0.005 and p = 0.033, respectively). Additionally, there was a trend for faster TT completion times driven by the CDS vs. WMR (p = 0.076). CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary CDS and CMR treatments result in faster mile splits, with the CDS treatment showing a trend for faster overall completion times compared to the control. Thus far, our data suggests that both CDS and CMR treatments improve running performance. Supported by: Innovation Gateway Grant