Int J Sports Med 2011; 32(8): 611-617
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1273739
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Pre-Race Dietary Carbohydrate Intake Can Independently Influence Sub-Elite Marathon Running Performance

G. Atkinson1 , C. E. Taylor1 , N. Morgan2 , L. R. Ormond2 , G. A. Wallis2
  • 1Liverpool John Moores University, RISES, Liverpool, United Kingdom
  • 2GlaxoSmithKline Nutritional Healthcare, Brentford, United Kingdom
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision February 12, 2011

Publication Date:
17 May 2011 (online)

Abstract

We examined whether selected anthropometric and nutritional factors influenced field-based marathon running performance. An internet-based data collection tool allowed competitors in the 2009 London Marathon (n=257, mean±SD age: 39±8 years, finish time: 273.8±59.5 min) to record a range of anthropometric, training and nutritional predictors. Multivariate statistical methods were used to quantify the change in running speed mediated by a unit change in each predictor via the 95% confidence interval for each covariate-controlled regression slope (B). Gender (B=1.22 to 1.95 km/h), body mass index (B=−0.14 to −0.27 km/h), training distance (B=0.01 to 0.04 km/h) and the amount of carbohydrate consumed the day before the race (B=0.08 to 0.26 km/h) were significant predictors, collectively accounting for 56% of the inter-individual variability in running speed (P<0.0005). Further covariate-adjusted analysis revealed that those competitors who consumed carbohydrate the day before the race at a quantity of >7 g/kg body mass had significantly faster overall race speeds (P=0.01) and maintained their running speed during the race to a greater extent than with those who consumed <7 g/kg body mass (P=0.02). We conclude that, in addition to gender, body size and training, pre-race day carbohydrate intake can significantly and independently influence marathon running performance.

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Correspondence

Prof. Greg Atkinson

Liverpool John Moores

University

RISES

Henry Cotton Campus

L3 2ET Liverpool

United Kingdom

Phone: + 44/0151/904 62 31

Fax: + 44/0151/904 62 84

Email: G.atkinson@ljmu.ac.uk