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Combined carbohydrate–protein supplementation improves competitive endurance exercise performance in the heat

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Abstract

Laboratory-based studies have demonstrated that adding protein (PRO) to a carbohydrate (CHO) supplement can improve thermoregulatory capacity, exercise performance and recovery. However, no study has investigated these effects in a competitive sporting context. This study assessed the effects of combined CHO–PRO supplementation on physiological responses and exercise performance during 8 days of strenuous competition in a hot environment. Twenty-eight cyclists participating in the TransAlp mountain bike race were randomly assigned to fitness-matched placebo (PLA 76 g L−1 CHO) or CHO–PRO (18 g L−1 PRO, 72 g L−1 CHO) groups. Participants were given enough supplements to allow ad libitum consumption. Physiological and anthropometric variables were recorded pre- and post-exercise. Body mass decreased significantly from race stage 1 to 8 in the PLA group (−0.75 ± 0.22 kg, P = 0.01) but did not change in the CHO–PRO group (0.42 ± 0.42 kg, P = 0.35). Creatine kinase concentration and muscle soreness were substantially elevated during the race, but were not different between groups (P = 0.82, P = 0.44, respectively). Urine osmolality was significantly higher in the CHO–PRO versus the PLA group (P = 0.04) and the rise in tympanic temperature from pre- to post-exercise was significantly less in CHO–PRO versus PLA (P = 0.01). The CHO–PRO group also completed the 8 stages significantly quicker than the PLA group (2,277 ± 127 vs. 2,592 ± 68 min, respectively, P = 0.02). CHO–PRO supplementation therefore appears to prevent body mass loss, enhance thermoregulatory capacity and improve competitive exercise performance despite no effect on muscle damage.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported in part by High5 Ltd, UK.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Diet, Exercise and Lifestyle, Faculty of Biomedical and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK

    Andrew J. Cathcart, Alison McNab & Laura J. Whyte

  2. Institute of Membrane and Systems Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK

    Scott R. Murgatroyd

  3. School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, Kingston University, Penryhn Road, Kingston upon Thames, KT1-2EE, UK

    Chris Easton

Authors
  1. Andrew J. Cathcart
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  2. Scott R. Murgatroyd
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  3. Alison McNab
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  4. Laura J. Whyte
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  5. Chris Easton
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Correspondence to Chris Easton.

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Communicated by Jacques R. Poortmans.

This paper is dedicated to the memory of Dr Andy Cathcart, who was tragically killed in a cycling accident prior to the submission of this manuscript. He will be sorely missed by his colleagues, the students he taught, and his family and friends.

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Cathcart, A.J., Murgatroyd, S.R., McNab, A. et al. Combined carbohydrate–protein supplementation improves competitive endurance exercise performance in the heat. Eur J Appl Physiol 111, 2051–2061 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-011-1831-5

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