Effects of a low- or a high-carbohydrate diet on performance, energy system contribution, and metabolic responses during supramaximal exercise
Publication: Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism
26 March 2013
Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of a high- or low-carbohydrate (CHO) diet on performance, aerobic and anaerobic contribution, and metabolic responses during supramaximal exercise. Six physically-active men first performed a cycling exercise bout at 115% maximal oxygen uptake to exhaustion after following their normal diet for 48 h (∼50% of CHO, control test). Seventy-two hours after, participants performed a muscle glycogen depletion exercise protocol, followed by either a high- or low-CHO diet (∼70 and 25% of CHO, respectively) for 48 h, in a random, counterbalanced order. After the assigned diet period (48 h), the supramaximal cycling exercise bout (115% maximal oxygen consumption) to exhaustion was repeated. The low-CHO diet reduced time to exhaustion when compared with both the control and the high-CHO diet (−19 and −32%, respectively, p < 0.05). The reduced time to exhaustion following the low-CHO diet was accompanied by a lower total aerobic energy contribution (−39%) compared with the high-CHO diet (p < 0.05). However, the aerobic and anaerobic energy contribution at the shortest time to exhaustion (isotime) was similar among conditions (p > 0.05). The low-CHO diet was associated with a lower blood lactate concentration (p < 0.05), with no effect on the plasma concentration of insulin, glucose and K+ (p > 0.05). In conclusion, a low-CHO diet reduces both performance and total aerobic energy provision during supramaximal exercise. As peak K+ concentration was similar, but time to exhaustion shorter, the low-CHO diet was associated with an earlier attainment of peak plasma K+ concentration.
Résumé
Cette étude se propose d’analyser les effets d’un régime riche ou faible en sucres (« CHO ») sur la performance, sur la contribution anaérobie et aérobie et sur les ajustements métaboliques au cours d’un exercice supramaximal. Six hommes physiquement actifs participent à une séance d’exercice à vélo à une intensité sollicitant 115 % du consommation maximale d’oxygène jusqu’à épuisement après avoir suivi un régime alimentaire normal durant 48 h (∼50 % de CHO, test de contrôle). Soixante-douze heures plus tard, les sujets participent à une séance de déplétion du glycogène au moyen d’un exercice, puis suivent un régime riche ou faible en CHO (∼70 % et 25 % de CHO, respectivement) durant 48 h, et ce, de façon aléatoire et contrebalancée. Après les 48 h de régime assigné, les sujets participent une autre fois à la séance d’exercice supramaximal (115 % du consommation maximale d’oxygène) jusqu’à épuisement. Le régime faible en CHO suscite une diminution du temps d’exercice jusqu’à l’épuisement comparativement au test de contrôle et au régime riche en CHO (−19 % et −32 %, respectivement, p < 0,05). Cette diminution du temps jusqu’à l’épuisement, consécutive au régime faible en CHO, est accompagnée d’une plus faible contribution totale (−39 %) du métabolisme aérobie comparativement au régime riche en CHO (p < 0,05). Toutefois, la contribution aérobie et anaérobie de l’énergie au temps de performance le plus court jusqu’à l’épuisement (isochronisme) est similaire d’une condition à l’autre (p > 0,05). Le régime faible en CHO est associé à une plus faible concentration sanguine de lactate (p < 0,05) et n’a pas d’effet sur les concentrations plasmatiques d’insuline, de glucose et de K+ (p > 0,05). En conclusion, un régime faible en CHO suscite une diminution de la performance et de la contribution totale du métabolisme aérobie au cours d’un exercice supramaximal. Du fait que la concentration de K+ de pointe est similaire et que le temps de performance jusqu’à l’épuisement est plus court, le régime faible en CHO est associé à l’atteinte hâtive de la concentration de K+ plasmatique de pointe. [Traduit par la Rédaction]
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Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism
Volume 38 • Number 9 • September 2013
Pages: 928 - 934
History
Received: 30 November 2012
Accepted: 21 March 2013
Accepted manuscript online: 26 March 2013
Version of record online: 26 March 2013
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© 2013.
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Lima-SilvaAdriano E., PiresFlavio O., BertuzziRomulo, Silva-CavalcanteMarcos D., OliveiraRodrigo S.F., KissMaria Augusta, and BishopDavid. 2013. Effects of a low- or a high-carbohydrate diet on performance, energy system contribution, and metabolic responses during supramaximal exercise. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism. 38(9): 928-934. https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2012-0467