Trained female athletes were placed on a low carb-and-protein supplement or a moderate carb supplement.
Research in The Journal of Strength Conditioning and Research suggests that a carbohydrate and protein supplement may improve endurance in athletes compared to a supplement of just carbohydrates.
Researchers at the University of Texas-Austin assigned 14 trained female cyclists and triathletes to cycle for three hours at 45–70% oxygen uptake (VO2), and then until exhaustion on two separate occasions. Subjects were assigned to a 275 mL supplement containing carbohydrates and protein (1% dextrose, 1% fructose, 1% maltodextrin, and 1.2% protein) or just carbohydrates (6% dextrose) every 20 minutes during exercise.
Even though the carbohydrate-and-protein supplement was lower in overall carbohydrates, the researchers wanted to see if adding protein would provide a benefit equal or greater than moderate carbohydrates alone.
Adding protein did seem to have a beneficial effect. While blood glucose was significantly lower with the protein-added supplement, average time to exhaustion was significantly greater with protein compared to no protein (49.94 minutes compared to 42.36 minutes).
“It is likely that the greater performance seen with [carbohydrates and protein] was a result of the [carbohydrate-protein] combination and the use of a mixture of [carbohydrate] sources,” concluded the study researchers.
Steve Mister on CRN's ongoing lawsuit against New York State
October 11th 2024Nutritional Outlook spoke to The Council for Responsible Nutrition's president and CEO, Steve Mister, at its annual meeting, Convergence '24. Mister discussed the latest in its ongoing lawsuit against NY State's law banning the sale of weight management and muscle building products to minors.