Download PDF
Int J Sports Med 2008; 29(7): 598-606
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-989265
Nutrition

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Effect of CHO Loading Patterns on Running Performance

Y. Chen1 , S. H. S. Wong1 , X. XU2 , X. Hao2 , C. K. Wong3 , C. W. Lam3
  • 1Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
  • 2College of Sports Science and Physical Education, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
  • 3Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision August 25, 2007

Publication Date:
14 November 2007 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

This study examined the influence of 3-day isoenergetic carbohydrate (CHO) loading with different glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) meals on running performance and metabolic responses. With a randomized crossover design, nine male runners performed a 1-h run at 70 % V·O2max followed by a 10-km performance run after a 3-day diet adaptation, which involved different GI and GL meals [CHO intake (%), GI, and GL per day were 73 %, 80, and 553 for the high GI and high GL (HH); 73 %, 36, and 249 for the low GI and low GL (LL); and 31 %, 79, and 227 for the high GI and low GL (HL), respectively]. There were no differences in the time to complete the 10-km run between the two high-CHO trials; however, the performance in the LL trial was improved as compared to that in the HL trial (mean ± SEM: HH vs. LL vs. HL: 51.3 ± 5.3 vs. 48.6 ± 1.3 vs. 55.3 ± 6.9 min). It appears that the amount, rather than the nature, of the CHO consumed during the 3-day isoenergetic CHO loading may be the most overriding factor on subsequent metabolism and endurance run performance.

Key words

glycemic index - glycemic load - run performance - metabolism

References

  • 1 Andrews J L, Sedlock D A, Flynn M G, Navalta J W, Ji H. Carbohydrate loading and supplementation in endurance-trained women runners.  J Appl Physiol. 2003;  95 584-590
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 2 Bishop N C, Walsh N P, Haines D L, Richards E E, Gleeson M. Pre-exercise carbohydrate status and immune responses to prolonged cycling: I. Effect on neutrophil degranulation.  Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2001;  11 490-502
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 3 Bogardus C, Thuillez P, Ravussin E, Vasquez B, Narimiga M, Azhar S. Effect of muscle glycogen depletion on in vivo insulin action in man.  J Clin Invest. 1983;  72 1605-1610
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 4 Bosher K J, Potteiger J A, Gennings C, Luebbers P E, Shannon K A, Shannon R M. Effects of different macronutrient consumption following a resistance-training session on fat and carbohydrate metabolism.  J Strength Cond Res. 2004;  18 212-219
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 5 Brooks G A, Butterfield G E, Wolfe R R, Groves B M, Mazzeo R S, Sutton J R, Wolfel E E, Reeves J T. Decreased reliance on lactate during exercise after acclimatization to 4300 m.  J Appl Physiol. 1991;  71 333-341
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 6 Burke L M, Gregory C R, Hargreaves M. Muscle glycogen storage after prolonged exercise: effect of the glycemic index of carbohydrate feedings.  J Appl Physiol. 1993;  75 1019-1023
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 7 Burke L M, Hawley J A, Schabort E J, St Clair Gibson A, Mujika I, Noakes T D. Carbohydrate loading failed to improve 100-km cycling performance in a placebo-controlled trial.  J Appl Physiol. 2000;  88 1284-1290
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 8 Chen Y J, Wong S H, Wong C K, Lam C W, Huang Y J, Siu P M. Effect of pre-exercise meals with different glycemic indices and glycemic loads on metabolic responses and endurance running performance.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2006;  38 S37
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 9 Doyle J A, Martinez A L. Reliability of a protocol for testing endurance performance in runners and cyclists.  Res Q Exerc Sport. 1998;  69 304-307
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 10 Chryssanthopoulos C, Williams C, Wilson W, Asher L, Hearne L. Comparison between carbohydrate feedings before and during exercise on running performance during a 30-km treadmill time trial.  Int J Sport Nutr. 1994;  4 374-386
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 11 Coggan A R, Coyle E F. Reversal of fatigue during prolonged exercise by carbohydrate infusion or ingestion.  J Appl Physiol. 1987;  63 2388-2395
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 12 Foster-Powell K, Holt S HA, Brand-Miller J C. International table of glycemic index and glycemic load values.  Am J Clin Nutr. 2002;  76 5-56
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 13 Goforth Jr H W, Laurent D, Prusaczyk W K, Schneider K E, Petersen K F, Shulman G I. Effects of depletion exercise and light training on muscle glycogen supercompensation in men.  Am J Physiol. 2003;  285 E1304-E1311
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 14 Helge J W, Watt P W, Richter E A, Rennie M J, Kiens B. Fat utilization during exercise: adaptation to a fat-rich diet increases utilization of plasma fatty acids and very low density lipoprotein-triacylglycerol in humans.  J Appl Physiol. 2001;  15 1009-1020
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 15 Indar-Brown K, Noreberg C, Madar Z. Glycemic and insulinemic responses after ingestion of ethnic foods by NIDDM and healthy subjects.  Am J Clin Nutr. 1992;  55 89-95
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 16 Jenkins D JA, Wolever T MS, Taylor R H, Barker H, Fielden H, Baldwin J M, Bowling A C, Newman H C, Jenkins A L, Goff D V. Glycaemic index of foods: a physiological basis for carbohydrate exchange.  Am J Clin Nutr. 1981;  34 362-366
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 17 Jentjens R, Cale C, Gutch C, Jeukendrup A. Effects of pre-exercise ingestion of differing amounts of carbohydrate on subsequent metabolism and cycling performance.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2003;  88 444-452
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 18 McArdle W D, Katch F I, Katch V L. Exercise Physiology: Energy, Nutrition, and Human Performance. 4th edn. Baltimore; Williams & Wilkins 1986
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 19 Mikines K J, Sonne B, Tronier B, Galbo H. Effects of acute exercise and detraining on insulin action in trained men.  J Appl Physiol. 1989;  66 704-711
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 20 Mittendorfer B, Sidossis L S. Mechanism for the increase in plasma triacylglycerol concentrations after consumption of short-term, high-carbohydrate diets.  Am J Clin Nutr. 2001;  73 892-899
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 21 Salmeron J, Manson J E, Stampfer M J, Colditz G A, Wing A L, Willett W C. Dietary fiber, glycemic load, and risk of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in women.  J Am Med Assoc. 1997;  277 472-477
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 22 Schrauwen P, Wagenmakers A J, van Marken Lichtenbelt W D, Saris W H, Westerterp K R. Increase in fat oxidation on a high-fat diet is accompanied by an increase in triglyceride-derived fatty acid oxidation.  Diabetes. 2000;  49 640-646
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 23 Sherman W M, Costill D L, Fink W J, Miller J M. Effect of exercise-diet manipulation on muscle glycogen and its subsequent utilization during performance.  Int J Sports Med. 1981;  2 114-118
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 24 Sherman W M, Costill D L, Fink W J, Hagerman F C, Armstrong L E, Murray T F. Effect of a 42.2-km footrace and subsequent rest or exercise on muscle glycogen and enzymes.  J Appl Physiol. 1983;  55 1219-1224
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 25 Siu P M, Wong S H, Morris J G, Lam C W, Chung P K, Chung S. Effect of frequency of carbohydrate feedings on recovery and subsequent endurance run.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2004;  36 315-323
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 26 Slyper A, Jurva J, Pleuss J, Hoffmann R, Gutterman D. Influence of glycemic load on HDL cholesterol in youth.  Am J Clin Nutr. 2005;  81 376-379
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 27 Stevenson E, Williams C, McComb G, Oram C. Improved recovery from prolonged exercise following the consumption of low glycemic index carbohydrate meals.  Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2005;  15 333-349
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 28 van Loon L J, Saris W H, Kruijshoop M, Wagenmakers A J. Maximizing postexercise muscle glycogen synthesis: carbohydrate supplementation and the application of amino acid or protein hydrolysate mixtures.  Am J Clin Nutr. 2000;  72 106-111
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 29 van Loon L J, Greenhaff P L, Constantin-Teodosiu D, Saris W H, Wagenmakers A J. The effects of increasing exercise intensity on muscle fuel utilisation in humans.  J Physiol. 2001;  536 (Pt 1) 295-304
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 30 Wee S L, Williams C, Gray S, Horabin J. Influence of high and low glycemic index meals on endurance running capacity.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1999;  31 393-399
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 31 Wee S L, Williams C, Tsintzas K, Boobis L. Ingestion of a high-glycemic index meal increases muscle glycogen storage at rest but augments its utilization during subsequent exercise.  J Appl Physiol. 2005;  99 707-714
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 32 Williams C, Brewer J, Walker M. The effect of a high carbohydrate diet on running performance during a 30-km treadmil time trial.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1992;  65 18-24
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar

Prof. Stephen H. S. Wong

The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Department of Sports Science and Physical Education

G02, Kwok Sports Building, Shatin, Hong Kong

852 Hong Kong

China

Phone: + 85 2 26 09 60 95

Fax: + 85 2 26 03 57 81

Email: hsswong@cuhk.edu.hk