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Long Term Carbohydrate Intake and the Effect on Endurance Performance in Collegiate Distance Runners

Baranauskas, Marissa Nicole
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5585-6995
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1461763324

Abstract Details

2016, Master of Science, University of Akron, Physical Education-Exercise Physiology/Adult Fitness.
Endurance athletes have begun to incorporate adaptive exercise sessions, which include practicing with low carbohydrate availability, into their normal training regimens to elicit a greater endurance response despite recommendations advocating for high carbohydrate diets for adequate recovery from the stresses of endurance training. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between dietary carbohydrate intake and indicators of performance in highly trained endurance athletes. Indicators of endurance performance measured were maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max), fat metabolism during high-intensity exercise (RER 1.0), and overall mood. The self-selected carbohydrate intakes (CHO) of 12 collegiate long-distance track athletes were observed over the course of an eight-week indoor track season. The average carbohydrate intake was 4.11 g·kg-1 ·body weight·day -1 (SD=1.03), which fell below current recommendations for endurance athletes. Pre-test measures were performed during the initial week and post-testing was conducted during the final week of the season. Participants completed a Costill-Fox maximal aerobic capacity test to observe aerobic capacity (VO2max) and fat metabolism (RER 1.0). Subjects also completed a Likert-Scale Mood and Lifestyle Questionnaire to determine overall mood scores in feelings of happiness, fatigue, sadness, anger, and worthlessness. Linear regression analysis showed a statistically significant negative relationship (p < .01) between RER 1.0 and CHO. A significant negative relationship (p < .05) was observed between VO2max and CHO, but was attributed to gender differences. There was no relationship found between mood scores and carbohydrate intake with high individual variability among subjects. These findings indicate that a decrease in dietary CHO content allowed for an increased capacity for fat oxidation during high-intensity exercise, which may attribute to increases in aerobic performance.
Ronald Otterstetter, Dr. (Committee Chair)
Laura Richardson, Dr. (Committee Member)
Michelle Boltz (Committee Member)
Matthew Juravich, Dr. (Committee Member)
74 p.
Kinesiology; Nutrition; Physiological Psychology; Physiology; Recreation; Sports Medicine
carbohydrate; endurance; runner; athlete; diet; adaptations

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Baranauskas, M. N. (2016). Long Term Carbohydrate Intake and the Effect on Endurance Performance in Collegiate Distance Runners [Master's thesis, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1461763324

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Baranauskas, Marissa. Long Term Carbohydrate Intake and the Effect on Endurance Performance in Collegiate Distance Runners . 2016. University of Akron, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1461763324.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Baranauskas, Marissa. "Long Term Carbohydrate Intake and the Effect on Endurance Performance in Collegiate Distance Runners ." Master's thesis, University of Akron, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1461763324

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

akron1461763324
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This open access ETD is published by University of Akron and OhioLINK.