Author(s): TIEYING, L., QIRONG, W., NAN, A., ZHAOBO, K., JING, S., Institution: INSTITUTE OF SPORTS MEDICINE OF THE GENERAL ADMINISTRATION OF SPORT OF CHINA, Country: CHINA, Abstract-ID: 547

INTRODUCTION:
The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of energy gel supplementation, specifically isotonic gels, on the maintenance of blood glucose levels and the enhancement of performance in endurance athletes, with a particular focus on rowing.
METHODS:
This was a randomized 3 3 double-blind crossover design study in which twelve participants completed one study period with isotonic energy gels (IEG, 280 m0sm/kg), one study period with isocaloric hypertonic energy gels (HEG, 4236 m0sm/kg), and one study period with placebo gels (PG, 31 mOsm/kg) in random order, separated by 1-week washout periods. Three packets of gel were taken at 15 minutes and 75 minutes after the start of exercise testing. The measurement indicators included dynamic blood glucose-related indicators, exercise fatigue evaluation indicators, water‒salt balance indicators, and blood-targeted metabolomics.
RESULTS:
(1) The hourly AUC of glucose was significantly greater, whereas the percentage of time at which glucose was less than 110 mg/dl (TBR) during the study period and the insulin concentration after 90 min exercise were significantly lower in the IEG than in the PG and HEG. (2) Significant differences in blood lactate levels among the groups emerged at 3 and 6 min after 90 min exercise, blood lactate was significantly lower in the IEG than in the HEG. (3) After 90 min exercise, compared with the HEG group, the levels of Citramalic acid, Glycochenodeoxycholic acid, 2-Ethylhexanoic acid, and Glycocholic acid in the IEG group were significantly lower, whereas the levels of 23-Nordeoxycholic acid Methyl Ester and Dehydrocholic acid Methyl Ester were significantly higher. Meanwhile, both the HEG and IEG groups presented significant decreases in 3-hydroxybutyric acid and acetic acid and increases in Glychenodeoxycholic acid compare to before the start of the exercise. (4) The correlation analysis results shows a significant positive correlation between Citramalic acid and sprint time and lactate after the 90-min exercise.
CONCLUSION:
Supplementing with isotonic energy gels during endurance exercise helped maintain blood glucose better than hypertonic energy gels (with the same energy) and helped eliminate lactate after exercise, which was linked to citramalic acid levels in the blood.