Comparative Effects of a Glucose-Fructose bar, Glucose-Fructose hydrogel, and a Maltodextrin gel on Carbohydrate Oxidation and Sprint Performance in Tier two Athletes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51224/SRXIV.553Keywords:
Carbohydrate, Supplements, Exercise, Oxidation, GlucoseAbstract
Carbohydrate supplementation plays a key role in optimising athletic performance. We compared the efficacy of three commercial carbohydrate supplements: a glucose-fructose bar (VOOM), a fructose-glucose hydrogel (MAU), and a maltodextrin-based gel (SIS). Antegrade venous blood samples for glucose and insulin were measured alongside substrate utilisation in healthy Tier 2 athletes after ingesting 45 g of carbohydrates from VOOM, MAU, and SIS during a modified 1-hour Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). Additionally, the effect of supplementation on high-intensity interval exercise was evaluated during repeat maximal sprint performance. During the OGTT, VOOM elicited greater total carbohydrate oxidation than SIS (24.6 ± 7.4 g vs 17.8 ± 8.6 g, p = 0.03) but not MAU (20.1 ± 6.4 g, p > 0.05). Carbohydrate oxidation per minute varied over time (p < 0.0001) and between products (p = 0.04), with VOOM (0.27 ± 0.05 g·min⁻¹) showing higher oxidation than MAU (0.21 ± 0.05 g·min⁻¹) and SIS (0.19 ± 0.06 g·min⁻¹). No significant differences were observed in glucose peak, time to peak glucose, or total insulin concentration (p > 0.05). In the exercise trial, peak power (p < 0.01), mean power (p < 0.0001), and total work varied across subsequent sprints (p < 0.0001) but were not influenced by product (p > 0.05). Perceived exertion and gastrointestinal discomfort were similar between products (p > 0.05). Despite differences in carbohydrate oxidation during the OGTT, VOOM, MAU, and SIS displayed similar metabolic and sprint performance outcomes, suggesting that, within this study, carbohydrate formulation did not impact short-duration maximal exercise.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Ewan Dean, Ash Osborne , Daren Subar, Paul Hendrickse , Christopher Gaffney (Author)
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