Assessing a commercially available sports drink on exogenous carbohydrate oxidation, fluid delivery and sustained exercise performance

BACKGROUND: Whilst exogenous carbohydrate oxidation (CHO(EXO)) is influenced by mono- and disaccharide combinations, debate exists whether such beverages enhance fluid delivery and exercise performance. Therefore, this study aimed to ascertain CHO(EXO), fluid delivery and performance times of a commercially available maltodextrin/ fructose beverage in comparison to an isocaloric maltodextrin beverage and placebo. METHODS: Fourteen club level cyclists (age: 31.79 ± 10.02 years; height: 1.79 ± 0.06 m; weight: 73.69 ± 9.24 kg; VO(2max): 60.38 ± 9.36 mL · kg(·-1) min(-1)) performed three trials involving 2.5 hours continuous exercise at 50% maximum power output (W(max): 176.71 ± 25.92 W) followed by a 60 km cycling performance test. Throughout each trial, athletes were randomly assigned, in a double-blind manner, either: (1) 1.1 g · min(-1) maltodextrin + 0.6 g · min(-1) fructose (MD + F), (2) 1.7 g · min(-1) of maltodextrin (MD) or (3) flavoured water (P). In addition, the test beverage at 60 minutes contained 5.0 g of deuterium oxide ((2)H(2)O) to assess quantification of fluid delivery. Expired air samples were analysed for CHO(EXO) according to the (13)C/(12)C ratio method using gas chromatography continuous flow isotope ratio mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Peak CHO(EXO) was significantly greater in the final 30 minutes of submaximal exercise with MD + F and MD compared to P (1.45 ± 0.09 g · min(-1), 1.07 ± 0.03 g · min(-1)and 0.00 ± 0.01 g · min(-1) respectively, P < 0.0001), and significantly greater for MD + F compared to MD (P = 0.005). The overall appearance of (2)H(2)O in plasma was significantly greater in both P and MD + F compared to MD (100.27 ± 3.57 ppm, 92.57 ± 2.94 ppm and 78.18 ± 4.07 ppm respectively, P < 0.003). There was no significant difference in fluid delivery between P and MD + F (P = 0.078). Performance times significantly improved with MD + F compared with both MD (by 7 min 22 s ± 1 min 56 s, or 7.2%) and P (by 6 min 35 s ± 2 min 33 s, or 6.5%, P < 0.05) over 60 km. CONCLUSIONS: A commercially available maltodextrin-fructose beverage improves CHO(EXO) and fluid delivery, which may benefit individuals during sustained moderate intensity exercise. The greater CHO(EXO) observed when consuming a maltodextrin-fructose beverage may support improved performance times.