The effects of a pre-exercise carbohydrate-ectrolyte ingestion on maximum aerobic capacity in elite soccer players

Abstract

Aim. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a pre-exercise carbohydrate-electrolyte drink on maximum aerobic capacity. Methods. twenty male elite soccer players volunteered to participate in the study. Each player performed two randomized trials of a V̇O2max treadmill test within a week of each other. Players in this randomized, placebo controlled, counter balanced, crossover design, ingested either a placebo (water) or carbohydrate-electrolyte drink (6% carbohydrates, sodium 24 mmol·l -1, chloride 12 mmol·l-1, potassium 3 mmol·l-1) 30 minutes before each exercise bout. V̇O 2max and time to exhaustion during graded exercise testing were evaluated. Results. Using paired samples t-tests, significantly greater mean values were found in VO2max and time for the pre-exercise carbohydrate- electrolyte drink trial compared to the placebo trial (P<0.05). The main finding of the present study indicates that supplementation with a pre-exercise carbohydrate-electrolyte drink improved V̇O2max and time to exhaustion. Conclusion. This suggests that soccer players should consume carbohydrate-electrolyte fluid prior a game to enhance V̇O2max in specific skill performance.