Influence of fluid intake on endurance running performance

SummaryThe aim of the present study was to compare the influence of drinking water, a carbohydrate-electrolyte solution, containing additional free glucose (Glucose) or the same carbohydrate-electrolyte solution containing additional fructose (Fructose), on running performance. Twelve endurance-trained recreational runners volunteered to take part in this study; 9 completed the three and all 12 completed two trials. The subjects were randomly assigned to one of the three trials: Water, Glucose or Fructose. In each trial the subjects were required to run 30 km as fast as possible on a motorized treadmill, instrumented so that they could control its speed. The carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions contained a total of 50 g carbohydrate, 20 g as a glucose polymer. The Glucose solution contained an additional 20 g free glucose and the Fructose solution contained an additional 20 g fructose rather than glucose. The osmolality of the Glucose and Fructose solutions was approximately 300–320 mosmol and the energy equivalent of both solutions was 794 kJ·l−1. The subjects ingested 11 fluid throughout each run. The running times were not significantly different, being 129.3 (±17.7) min, 124.8 (±14.9) min and 125.9 (±17.9) min for Water, Glucose and Fructose respectively. There was a decrease (P<0.05) in running speed over the last 10 km of the Water trial from 4.14 (±0.55) to 3.75 (±0.86) m· s−1, which did not occur in the carbohydrate trials. Blood glucose concentrations during the Water trial decreased from 15 km onwards and at the end of the run they were significantly (P<0.05) lower than the value recorded at 15 km. In contrast they did not decrease in the two carbohydrate trials. There were no significant differences between the responses of the subjects during the Glucose and Fructose trials.