Novel Glucose Beverage Enhances Post-Exercise Recovery
In a recent study from the University of Nottingham, England, researchers sought to determine the effect of post-exercise ingestion of a unique, high molecular weight glucose polymer solution, known to augment gastric emptying and post-exercise muscle glycogen resynthesis, on performance during a subsequent bout of intense exercise.
On three randomized visits, eight healthy men cycled to exhaustion at 73.0% of maximal oxygen uptake. Immediately afterward, participants consumed a one-liter solution containing sugar-free flavoured water (control), 100 g of a low molecular weight glucose polymer, or 100 g of a very high molecular weight glucose polymer, and rested on a bed for 2 hours.
After recovery, a 15-min time-trial was performed on a cycle ergometer, during which work output was determined. Post-exercise ingestion of the very high molecular weight glucose polymer solution resulted in faster and greater increases in blood glucose and serum insulin concentrations than the low molecular weight glucose polymer solution. On average, they produced 164 Kj of energy during the 15-minute time trial after ingesting the high molecular weight glucose polymer solution during the recovery period, compared to only 149 Kj with the alternative solution and 137 Kj with flavored water.
The study's authors concluded, "These findings could be of practical importance for athletes wishing to optimize performance by facilitating rapid re-synthesis of the muscle glycogen store during recovery following prolonged sub-maximal exercise." |
