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Carbohydrate consumption and variable-intensity exercise responses in boys and men

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Abstract

Purpose

The effect of carbohydrate (CHO) supplementation on physiological and perceptual responses to steady-state exercise has been studied in children. However, little is known about these responses to variable-intensity exercise (VIE) and how these responses might differ from adults. This study examined the physiological and perceptual effects of CHO on VIE in boys and men.

Methods

Eight boys (11.1 ± 0.9 years) and 11 men (23.8 ± 2.1 years) consumed CHO or a placebo (PL) beverage before and throughout VIE (three 12-min cycling bouts with intensity varying every 20–30 s between 25, 50, 75, and 125% peak work rate). Pulmonary gas exchange was assessed during the second 12-min bout. RPE was assessed twice per bout.

Results

In CHO, blood glucose increased and then decreased more from pre-exercise to 12 min and was higher in this trial at the end of exercise in men versus boys. In boys, blood glucose in CHO was higher at 24 and 36 min of exercise than in PL. RER during the CHO trial was higher in both groups; the other physiological responses were unaffected by CHO. All RPE measures (whole body, legs and chest) increased over time, but were not different between groups or trials.

Conclusion

Blood glucose patterns during VIE were differentially affected by CHO in boys and men, but most physiological and perceptual responses to VIE were unaffected by CHO in either group. Knowledge of the underlying mechanisms of glucose regulation and effects on physical performance during this type of exercise in children is warranted.

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Abbreviations

ANOVA:

Analysis of variance

CHO:

Carbohydrate

HR:

Heart rate

LIST:

Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test

PL:

Placebo

RER:

Respiratory exchange ratio

RPE:

Rating of perceived exertion

VIE:

Variable-intensity exercise

VO2 :

Oxygen uptake

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Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

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Author notes

  1. Justin P. Guilkey

    Present address: Department of Kinesiology, Coastal Carolina University, Conway, SC, 29528-6054, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Human Performance Laboratory, Ball State University, Muncie, IN, 47306, USA

    Lisa M. Guth, Michael P. Rogowski, Justin P. Guilkey & Anthony D. Mahon

Authors
  1. Lisa M. Guth
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  2. Michael P. Rogowski
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  3. Justin P. Guilkey
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  4. Anthony D. Mahon
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Contributions

LMG and ADM developed the study, participated in the data collection and analysis, and are the paper’s primary authors. MPR and JPG assisted with some of the data collection and reviewed drafts of the paper prior to submission.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Anthony D. Mahon.

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None of the authors declare competing financial interests.

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Communicated by Philip D. Chilibeck.

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Guth, L.M., Rogowski, M.P., Guilkey, J.P. et al. Carbohydrate consumption and variable-intensity exercise responses in boys and men. Eur J Appl Physiol 119, 1019–1027 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-019-04091-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-019-04091-z

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