Exogenous Carbohydrate as an Ergogenic Aid: Recent Advances in Dose and Form and Format

Abstract

Performance nutrition is as wide and complex topic as the number and diversity of sports available for human endeavor. Nevertheless, over 100 years of evidenced-based outcomes founded upon the science of energy-substrate metabolism provide a body of evidence providing almost certain support for the use of carbohydrate prior to and during most prolonged maximal efforts to enhance performance. This presentation will provide a summary of some of our recent research contributing to the refinements and translation of this general ergogenic theme. Topics covered will include: maximal exogenous-carbohydrate dose response; optimal fructose:glucose/maltodextrin ratio for gut comfort, oxidation rate, and performance; new data on the role of sucrose and very long-chain glucose polymers in glycogen recovery; effects of solid, gel, and drink format; training of the gut, new technologies in sports drinks- the Sub2/Maurten story, and inferences from lab vs in-competition field clinical trials.