The Influence of Ingesting a Carbohydrate-Electrolyte Beverage during 4 Hours of Recovery on Subsequent Endurance Capacity

Recovery from prolonged exercise involves both rehydration and replenishment of endogenous carbohydrate stores. The present study examined the influence of ingesting a carbohydrate-electrolyte (CE) solution following prolonged running, on exercise capacity 4 hr later. Twelve men and 4 women were divided into two matched groups, which were randomly assigned to either a control (P) or a carbohydrate (CHO) condition. Both groups ran at 70% of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) on a level treadmill for 90 min or until volitional fatigue (R1), and they ran at the same % VO2max to exhaustion 4 hr later to assess endurance capacity (R2). The CHO group ingested a 6.9% CE solution providing 1.0 g CHO.kg body weight-1 immediately post-R1 and again 2 hr later. The P group ingested equal volumes of a placebo solution. Run times (mean +/- SEM) for R1 did not differ between the groups (P 86.3 +/- 3.8 min; CHO 87.5 +/- 2.5 min). The CHO group ran 22.2 (+/- 3.5) min longer than the P group during R2 (P 39.8 +/- 6.1 min; CHO 62.0 +/- 6.2 min) (p < .05). Thus, ingesting a 6.9% carbohydrate-electrolyte beverage following prolonged, constant-pace running improves endurance capacity 4 hr later.