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)

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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.

References

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