Carbohydrate
EAS carbohydrate supplements are available in our shop:
Carb gel enhances performance in intermittent activities
A recent study published in the International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism investigated the effect of a carbohydrate gel on performance following intermittent high-intensity shuttle running (Patterson & Gray. (2007) Carbohydrate-Gel Supplementation and Endurance Performance During Intermittent High-Intensity Shuttle Running. IJSNEM; 17(5)).
In the study, 7 football players performed 2 trials, 7 days apart. The trials required the subjects to complete 5 x 15 minute periods of intermittent running separated by periods of walking followed by an intermittent run to exhaustion. During the trials, the subjects consumed either a placebo or a carbohydrate gel immediately before beginning, and every 15 minutes during, exercise. Water was also consumed at these points in time.
Results showed that blood glucose levels were elevated throughout the exercise trials during the carbohydrate gel trials. In addition to this, following consumption of carbohydrate gel, subjects were able to run for almost 2 minute longer during the trial to exhaustion.
Therefore, ingesting carbohydrate gel and water before and during prolonged, high-intensity, intermittent running improves endurance performance. This is likely to be due to the higher blood glucose availability following the consumption of the carbohydrate. This research reinforces the use of carbohydrate gels during high-intensity, intermittent sports such as football, rugby, hockey and netball.
EAS carbohydrate supplements are available in our shop: