Author(s): MALÁ, M., MILEK, J., STRÍTECKÁ, H., NOVÁKOVÁ, M., Institution: CASRI, Country: CZECH REPUBLIC, Abstract-ID: 1176

INTRODUCTION:
Sports performance is complexly influenced by a variety of factors, including training environments. This pilot study focuses on the analysis of glycemic variability in female elite rowers in the context of three different training environments: regular training, training camp and training in a hypoxic environment. In order to assess the effect of these environments on glycemic variability, the Mean Amplitude of Glucose Excursions (MAGE) values was examined over a four-day follow-up. The aim of this pilot study was to identify differences in glycemic variability across training environments and find out the effect of carbohydrate intake.
METHODS:
The sample consists of three experienced female elite rowers (aged 25-28) with a history of glycemic recording. Each athlete underwent four days of monitoring in each training environment. During this time blood glucose level was monitored by using of FreeStyle Libre 2 continuous glucose monitors. Dietary diaries and energy expenditure were also recorded to examine the potential impact of energy balance and diet on glycemic stability. Students paired t-test and descriptive statistics were used to compare MAGE values in each environment.
RESULTS:
The statistical analysis showed no significant diference in the mean of MAGE value between regular training condition (1.22 mmol/L ± 0.14) and training camp (1.27 mmol/L ± 0.54), but a significant difference was found between regular training and training conducted at elevated altitudes (1.58 mmol/L ± 0.35 ; p < 0.01). Notably, no statistically significant difference was detected across the aforementioned environments in carbohydrate intake (1254 kcal vs. 1105 kcal). However a significant difference (p < 0.01) in energy expenditure values emerged between these environmental contexts, with a mean of 3387 kcal during regular training and 2641 kcal during training at higher altitudes.
CONCLUSION:
The results suggest that despite similar carbohydrate intake levels between changes in environmental conditions and increased energy expenditure, glycemic variability varies notably. However the precise influence of energy expenditure versus training environment alterations on this variability remains inconclusive and other factors can play a role. Further investigation demands a larger participant pool and higher amount of monitored days to elucidate the nuanced interplay between environmental factors, energy expenditure, and glycemic variability in athletic performance.