Abstract
Introduction
Materials and Methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusions
References
Abstract
Nutritional intake can influence exercise metabolism and performance, but there is a lack of research comparing protein-rich pre-exercise meals with endurance exercise performed both in the fasted state and following a carbohydrate-rich breakfast. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of three pre-exercise nutrition strategies on metabolism and exercise capacity during cycling. On three occasions, seventeen trained male cyclists (VO2peak 62.2 ± 5.8 mL·kg−1 ·min−1 , 31.2 ± 12.4 years, 74.8 ± 9.6 kg) performed twenty minutes of submaximal cycling (4 × 5 min stages at 60%, 80%, and 100% of ventilatory threshold (VT), and 20% of the difference between power at the VT and peak power), followed by 3 × 3 min intervals at 80% peak aerobic power and 3 × 3 min intervals at maximal effort, 30 min after consuming a carbohydrate-rich meal (CARB; 1 g/kg CHO), a protein-rich meal (PROTEIN; 0.45 g/kg protein + 0.24 g/kg fat), or water (FASTED), in a randomized and counter-balanced order. Fat oxidation was lower for CARB compared with FASTED at and below the VT, and compared with PROTEIN at 60% VT. There were no differences between trials for average power during high-intensity intervals (367 ± 51 W, p = 0.516). Oxidative stress (F2 -Isoprostanes), perceived exertion, and hunger were not different between trials. Overall, exercising in the overnightfasted state increased fat oxidation during submaximal exercise compared with exercise following a CHO-rich breakfast, and pre-exercise protein ingestion allowed similarly high levels of fat oxidation. There were no differences in perceived exertion, hunger, or performance, and we provide novel data showing no influence of pre-exercise nutrition ingestion on exercise-induced oxidative stress.
Introduction
Nutritional intake before exercise can influence performance and the physiological responses to an exercise session [1]. Exercise performed with reduced carbohydrate (CHO) availability can increase fat oxidation, increase the activation of cell signaling pathways, and promote oxidative adaptations in skeletal muscle [2,3]. At the same time, sufficient CHO ingestion before and/or during exercise is recommended for exercise sessions requiring a high quality, duration, and/or intensity [4]. It is therefore suggested that CHO ingestion be varied according to the goals and type of each exercise session to optimize both training adaptations and acute performance, yet there is wide variance among athletes regarding appropriate nutritional intake before exercise [5].Strategies to vary CHO availability before exercise include ingesting high- or lowCHO meals, and exercising in the overnight-fasted state. We recently reported nearlytwo-thirds of endurance athletes (63%) train in the overnight-fasted state, while 72% consume CHO before some or all training sessions, and only 28% ever consume low-CHO meals before exercise [5,6]. Athletes perform fasted-state training primarily to increase fat oxidation and improve gut comfort during exercise, while athletes that avoid fasted training do so because they feel their workout quality deteriorates and/or they will be too hungry during exercise [6].