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Effects of high-carbohydrate versus mixed-macronutrient meals on female soccer physiology and performance

European Journal of Applied Physiology volume 121, pages 1125–1134 (2021)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose

Athletes are often told to minimize intakes of fiber, fat, and protein in pre-competition meals to avoid gut distress, but this guidance is based on scant direct evidence. This study evaluated the physiological and perceptual effects of pre-competition mixed-macronutrient (MM) and high-carbohydrate (HCHO) meals in collegiate female soccer players.

Methods

Fifteen players participated in this randomized, investigator-blinded, crossover study involving two ~ 1000-kcal meals (HCHO and MM) consumed 4 h prior to 70-min scrimmages. Assessments included global positioning system (GPS) tracking, heart rate (HR), perceived exertion (RPE), ratings of fatigue (ROF), gut symptoms, and perceptions of satiety, hunger, and fullness. Differences between conditions for HR, RPE, ROF, and gut symptoms were evaluated with Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. GPS data and hunger, satiety, and fullness scores were compared using within-subjects repeated measures ANOVAs.

Results

No statistically significant differences were found between the conditions at any time point for HR, RPE, ROF, or gut symptoms. Significant time effects were found for two GPS variables (total distance covered and high-speed running), indicating that participants covered less distance during the second half of the scrimmages in comparison to the first half. However, there were no significant condition or condition × time interactions for GPS data. Finally, there were no condition or condition × time interactions for hunger, fullness, and satiety, though significant time effects were observed.

Conclusion

A MM meal consumed 4 h prior to 70 min of soccer competition does not increase gut symptoms and can be similarly ergogenic as a HCHO meal.

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Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Abbreviations

CHO:

Carbohydrate

HCHO:

High-carbohydrate

HR:

Heart rate

HSR:

High-speed running

IQR:

Interquartile range

GPS:

Global positioning system

MM:

Mixed-macronutrient

ROF:

Rating of fatigue

RPE:

Rating of perceived exertion

SD:

Standard deviation

TDC:

Total distance covered

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Human Performance Laboratory, Human Movement Sciences Department, Old Dominion University, 2003A Student Recreation Center, Norfolk, VA, 23529, USA

    Jaison L. Wynne, Alex M. Ehlert & Patrick B. Wilson

Authors
  1. Jaison L. Wynne
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  2. Alex M. Ehlert
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  3. Patrick B. Wilson
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Contributions

JW and PW conceived and designed the study. JW, AE, and PW collected the data. JW and PW analyzed and interpreted the data. JW, AE, and PW wrote and/or revised the manuscript. All authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Patrick B. Wilson.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethics approval

This study was performed in line with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. The protocol for this study was reviewed and approved by the Old Dominion University Institutional Review Board.

Consent to participate

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Communicated by Philip D. Chilibeck.

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Wynne, J.L., Ehlert, A.M. & Wilson, P.B. Effects of high-carbohydrate versus mixed-macronutrient meals on female soccer physiology and performance. Eur J Appl Physiol 121, 1125–1134 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-021-04597-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-021-04597-5

Keywords

  • Athlete
  • Carbohydrate
  • Exercise performance
  • Fiber
  • Protein
  • Satiety