Sports drink intake pattern affects exogenous carbohydrate oxidation during running

PURPOSE: To determine whether the pattern of carbohydrate sports drink ingestion during prolonged sub-maximal running affects exogenous carbohydrate oxidation rates and gastrointestinal (GI) comfort. METHODS: Twelve well-trained male runners (27 ± 7 y, 67.9 ± 6.7 kg, V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak: 68 ± 7 mL·kg·min) completed two exercise trials of 100 min steady state running at 70% V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak. In each of the trials, 1 L of a 10% dextrose solution, enriched with [U-C] glucose, was consumed as either 200 mL every 20 min (CHO-20) or 50 mL every 5 min (CHO-5). Expired breath and venous blood samples were collected at rest and every 20 min during exercise. Subjective scales of GI comfort were recorded at regular intervals. RESULTS: Average exogenous carbohydrate oxidation rates were 23% higher during exercise in CHO-20 (0.38 ± 0.11 vs. 0.31 ± 0.11 g·min; P=0.017). Peak exogenous carbohydrate oxidation was also higher in CHO-20 (0.68 ± 0.14 g·min vs. 0.61 ± 0.14 g·min; P=0.004). During exercise, total carbohydrate oxidation (CHO-20: 2.15 ± 0.47; CHO-5: 2.23 ± 0.45 g·min, P=0.412) and endogenous carbohydrate oxidation (CHO-20: 1.78 ± 0.45; CHO-5: 1.92 ± 0.40 g·min; P=0.148) were not different between trials. Average serum glucose (P=0.952) and insulin (P=0.373) concentrations were not different between trials. There were no differences in reported symptoms of GI comfort and stomach bloatedness (P>0.05), with only 3% of reported scores classed as severe (>5 out of 10). CONCLUSION: Ingestion of a larger volume of carbohydrate solution at less frequent intervals during prolonged submaximal running increased exogenous carbohydrate oxidation rates. Neither drinking pattern resulted in increased markers of GI discomfort to a severe level.