Effects of Different Sports Supplements on Metabolism and Perceptual Responses During Distance Running

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Several previous studies have shown that repeatedly ingesting carbohydrate supplements during exercise training sessions, over a period of days and weeks, can gradually increase carbohydrate oxidation and reduce gut discomfort during exercise. However, repeatedly ingesting large amounts of carbohydrate during training sessions can be burdensome and can cause gut distress. Thus, it would be advantageous if the same long-term benefits could be realized from consuming these carbohydrate supplements at rest instead of specifically during training sessions. Therefore, the goal of this study is to examine whether repeatedly ingesting a carbohydrate-rich beverage at rest over a 5-day period alters metabolism and gut symptoms while ingesting carbohydrate during exercise.

Official Title
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Effects of Different Sports Supplements on Metabolism and Perceptual Responses During Distance Running

Conditions
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Anomalies Gastrointestinal

Intervention / Treatment
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* Dietary Supplement: Carbohydrate Beverage
* Dietary Supplement: Placebo Beverage


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Be currently running ≥15 miles per week Have completed at least one run >60 minutes over the past month Have completed one or more marathons within the past year Exclusion Criteria: Overt cardiovascular disease or metabolic disorder Adverse symptoms (e.g., unusual shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain) with exercise Allergies/intolerances to any of the ingredients in the beverages

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Other
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Carbohydrate Beverage<br>A glucose-fructose beverage mixture supplying 100 grams of carbohydrate per day for 5 days | Dietary Supplement: Carbohydrate Beverage<br>* The carbohydrate beverage will supply approximately 100 grams of carbohydrate per day (in the form of glucose and fructose)<br>|
| Placebo Comparator: Placebo Beverage<br>An artificially-sweetened beverage containing aspartame | Dietary Supplement: Placebo Beverage<br>* The placebo beverage will contain aspartame.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in Gastrointestinal Symptom Ratings | Symptoms such as nausea, fullness, belching, reflux, abdominal cramps, flatulence, and urge to defecate will be recorded on a 0-10 scale (0 = no discomfort, 10 = unbearable discomfort). | Symptoms will be collected during a 60 minute run on a treadmill at a baseline visit and at a second visit after ingesting the carbohydrate or placebo beverage for 5 days. | 
| Change in Hydrogen Breath Production | Samples of expired air will be tested for hydrogen levels, a marker of carbohydrate malabsorption | Samples will be collected before after a 60-minute run at a baseline visit and at a second visit after ingesting the carbohydrate or placebo beverage for 5 days. | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in Carbohydrate Oxidation | Respiratory gases will be used to estimate carbohydrate oxidation rates. | Respiratory gases will be collected during each 60-minute run at a baseline visit and at a second visit after ingesting the carbohydrate or placebo beverage for 5 days. | 
| Change in Feeling Scale | A bipolar scale ranging from -5 (very bad) to +5 (very good) | Ratings will be collected collected before and during each 60-minute run at a baseline visit and at a second visit after ingesting the carbohydrate or placebo beverage for 5 days. |