The effects of substrate and fluid provision on thermoregulatory and metabolic responses to prolonged exercise in a hot environment

• Published in: Journal of sports sciences Vol. 18; no. 5; pp. 339 - 351
• Main Authors: Galloway, Stuart D.R., Maughan, Ronald J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Taylor & Francis 01.05.2000; Taylor and Francis
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Glucose - analysis; Body Temperature Regulation - physiology; Carbohydrate Metabolism; Carbohydrates - administration & dosage; Cross-Over Studies; Electrolytes - blood; Electrolytes - urine; Exercise Capacity; Exercise Tolerance - physiology; Fluid Replacement; Fluid Therapy; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Glycogen - metabolism; Heart Rate; Heat Exhaustion - metabolism; Heat Exhaustion - physiopathology; Heat Exhaustion - prevention & control; Heat Stress; Humans; Male; Muscle Fatigue - physiology; Oxygen Consumption; Plasma Volume; Pulmonary Gas Exchange; Pulmonary Ventilation; Rehydration Solutions - chemistry; Substrate Oxidation; Thermoregulation; Treatment Outcome; Vertebrates: body movement. Posture. Locomotion. Flight. Swimming. Physical exercise. Rest. Sports; Physical exercise; Human; Temperature; Physical performance; Bicycle ergometer; Thermoregulation; Environmental factor; Metabolism; Athlete; Stress; Heat; Energy drink; Rehydration; Carbohydrate; Prolonged
• DOI: 10.1080/026404100402403
• ISSN: 0264-0414

A high ambient temperature reduces the capacity to perform prolonged exercise. Total carbohydrate oxidation is less, and thus glycogen depletion is not limiting. Fluid ingestion in the heat should, therefore, focus on maintenance of hydration status rather than on substrate provision. Six healthy males cycled to exhaustion at 60% of maximum oxygen consumption (VO 2max ) with no drink, ingestion of a 15% carbohydrate-electrolyte drink (1.45 - 0.29 litres) or ingestion of a 2% carbohydrate-electrolyte drink (3.12 - 0.47 litres). The ambient temperature was 30.2 - 0.6°C (mean - s ), with a relative humidity of 71 - 1% and an air speed of approximately 0.7 m.s -1 on all trials. Weighted mean skin temperature, rectal temperature and heart rate were recorded and venous samples drawn for determination of plasma volume changes, blood metabolites, serum electrolytes and osmolality. Expired gas was collected to estimate rates of fuel oxidation. Exercise capacity was significantly ( P ≪ 0.05) different in all trials. The median (range) time to exhaustion was 70.9 min (39.4-97.4 min) in the no-drink trial, 84.0 min (62.7-145 min) in the 15% carbohydrate trial and 118 min (82.6-168 min) in the 2% carbohydrate trial. The 15% carbohydrate drink resulted in significantly ( P ≪ 0.05) elevated blood glucose and total carbohydrate oxidation compared with the no-drink trial. The 2% carbohydrate drink restored plasma volume to pre-exercise values by the end of exercise. No differences were observed in other thermoregulatory or cardiorespiratory responses between trials. These results suggest that fluid replacement with a large volume of a dilute carbohydrate drink is beneficial during exercise in the heat, but the precise mechanisms for the improved exercise capacity are unclear.