Abstract
Muscle glycogen state and carbohydrate (CHO) supplementation before and during exercise may impact responses to high-intensity interval training (HIIT). This study determined cardiorespiratory, substrate metabolism, muscle oxygenation, and performance when completing HIIT with or without CHO supplementation in a muscle glycogen depleted state. On two occasions, in a cross-over design, eight male cyclists performed a glycogen depletion protocol prior to HIIT during which either a 6% CHO drink (60 g.hr−1) or placebo (%CHO, PLA) was consumed. HIIT consisted of 5 × 2 min at 80% peak power output (PPO), 3 × 10-min bouts of steady-state (SS) cycling (50, 55, 60% PPO), and a time-to-exhaustion (TTE) test. There was no difference in SS \({\dot{\text{V}}\text{O}}_{{2}}\), HR, substrate oxidation and gross efficiency (GE %) between CHO and PLA conditions. A faster rate of muscle reoxygenation (%. s−1) existed in PLA after the 1st (Δ − 0.23 ± 0.22, d = 0.58, P < 0.05) and 3rd HIIT intervals (Δ − 0.34 ± 0.25, d = 1.02, P < 0.05). TTE was greater in CHO (7.1 ± 5.4 min) than PLA (2.5 ± 2.3 min, d = 0.98, P < 0.05). CHO consumption before and during exercise under reduced muscle glycogen conditions did not suppress fat oxidation, suggesting a strong regulatory role of muscle glycogen on substrate metabolism. However, CHO ingestion provided a performance benefit under intense exercise conditions commenced with reduced muscle glycogen. More research is needed to understand the significance of altered muscle oxygenation patterns during exercise.
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Data availability
The datasets generated during and analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
Abbreviations
- HIIT:
-
High-intensity interval training
- SS:
-
Steady state
- TTE:
-
Time-to-exhaustion
- HHb:
-
Deoxygenated hemoglobin
- O2Hb:
-
Oxygenated hemoglobin
- tHb:
-
Total hemoglobin
- PPO:
-
Peak power output
- GE:
-
Gross efficiency
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The study concept and design were completed by AR, PL, MW and AK. Data were collected and analysed by AR, WLC. Data interpretation was undertaken by AR, AK, WLC. Manuscript preparations were undertaken by AR, PL, MW, WLC, AK. All authors approved the final version of the paper.
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Communicated by Michael I Lindinger.
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Ramonas, A., Laursen, P.B., Williden, M. et al. Carbohydrate intake before and during high intensity exercise with reduced muscle glycogen availability affects the speed of muscle reoxygenation and performance. Eur J Appl Physiol 123, 1479–1494 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-023-05162-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-023-05162-y