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Carbohydrate ingestion and pre-cooling improves exercise capacity following soccer-specific intermittent exercise performed in the heat

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Abstract

Ingestion of carbohydrate and reducing core body temperature pre-exercise, either separately or combined, may have ergogenic effects during prolonged intermittent exercise in hot conditions. The aim of this investigation was to examine the effect of carbohydrate ingestion and pre-cooling on the physiological responses to soccer-specific intermittent exercise and the impact on subsequent high-intensity exercise performance in the heat. Twelve male soccer players performed a soccer-specific intermittent protocol for 90 min in the heat (30.5°C and 42.2% r.h.) on four occasions. On two occasions, the participants underwent a pre-cooling manoeuvre. During these sessions either a carbohydrate–electrolyte solution (CHOc) or a placebo was consumed at (PLAc). During the remaining sessions either the carbohydrate–electrolyte solution (CHO) or placebo (PLA) was consumed. At 15-min intervals throughout the protocol participants performed a mental concentration test. Following the soccer-specific protocol participants performed a self-chosen pace test and a test of high-intensity exercise capacity. The period of pre-cooling significantly reduced core temperature, muscle temperature and thermal sensation (P < 0.05). Self-chosen pace was greater with CHOc (12.5 ± 0.5 km h−1) compared with CHO (11.3 ± 0.4 km h−1), PLA (11.3 ± 0.4 km h−1) and PLAc (11.6 ± 0.5 km h−1) (P < 0.05). High-intensity exercise capacity was improved with CHOc and CHO when compared with PLA (CHOc; 79.8 ± 7 s, CHO; 72.1 ± 5 s, PLAc; 70.1 ± 8 s, PLA; 57.1 ± 5 s; P < 0.05). Mental concentration during the protocol was also enhanced during CHOc compared with PLA (P < 0.05). These results suggest pre-cooling in conjunction with the ingestion of carbohydrate during exercise enhances exercise capacity and helps maintain mental performance during intermittent exercise in hot conditions.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by GlaxoSmithKline.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Life Sciences, School of Human Sciences, London Metropolitan University, North Campus, 166-220 Holloway Road, London, UK

    N. D. Clarke

  2. Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Tom Reilly Building. Byrom Street Campus, Liverpool, L3 3AF, UK

    D. P. M. Maclaren, T. Reilly & B. Drust

Authors
  1. N. D. Clarke
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  2. D. P. M. Maclaren
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  3. T. Reilly
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  4. B. Drust
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Correspondence to N. D. Clarke.

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Communicated by George Havenith.

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Clarke, N.D., Maclaren, D.P.M., Reilly, T. et al. Carbohydrate ingestion and pre-cooling improves exercise capacity following soccer-specific intermittent exercise performed in the heat. Eur J Appl Physiol 111, 1447–1455 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-010-1771-5

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