Download PDF
Int J Sports Med 2014; 35(03): 265-269
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1348254
Nutrition
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Improved Gross Efficiency during Long Duration Submaximal Cycling Following a Short-term High Carbohydrate Diet

M. Cole
1   Sports Science, Tourism & Leisure, Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury, United Kingdom
,
D. Coleman
1   Sports Science, Tourism & Leisure, Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury, United Kingdom
,
J. Hopker
2   Centre for Sport Studies, University of Kent, Chatham, United Kingdom
,
J. Wiles
1   Sports Science, Tourism & Leisure, Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury, United Kingdom
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted after revision 25 April 2013

Publication Date:
10 September 2013 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

To assess the effect of dietary manipulation on gross efficiency (GE), 15 trained male cyclists completed 3×2 h tests at submaximal exercise intensity (60% Maximal Minute Power). Using a randomized, crossover design participants consumed an isoenergetic diet (~4 000 kcal.day-1) in the 3 days preceding each test, that was either high in carbohydrate (HighCHO, [70% of the total energy derived from carbohydrate, 20% fat, 10% protein]), low in carbohydrate (LowCHO, [70% fat, 20% carbohydrate, 10% protein]) or contained a moderate amount of carbohydrate (ModCHO, [45% carbohydrate, 45% fat, 10% protein]). GE along with blood lactate and glucose were assessed every 30 min, and heart rate was measured at 5 s intervals throughout. Mean GE was significantly greater following the HighCHO than the ModCHO diet (HighCHO=20.4%±0.1%, ModCHO=19.6±0.2%; P<0.001). Additionally, HighCHO GE was significantly greater after 25 min (P=0.015) and 85 min (P=0.021) than in the LowCHO condition. Heart rate responses in the HighCHO condition were significantly lower than during the LowCHO tests (P=0.005). Diet had no effect on blood glucose or lactate (P>0.05). This study suggests that before the measurement of gross efficiency, participants’ diet should be controlled and monitored to ensure the validity of the results obtained.

Key words

cycling - carbohydrate - gross efficiency - submaximal - diet
 

  • References

  • 1 Amati F, Dube JJ, Shay C, Goodpaster BH. Separate and combined effects of exercise training and weight loss on exercise efficiency and substrate oxidation. J Appl Physiol 2008; 105: 825-831
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Arkinstall MJ, Bruce CR, Clark SA, Rickards CA, Burke LM, Hawley JA. Regulation of fuel metabolism by preexercise muscle glycogen content and exercise intensity. J Appl Physiol 2004; 97: 2275-2283
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Bell MP, Ferguson RA. Interaction between muscle temperature and contraction velocity affects mechanical efficiency during moderate-intensity cycling exercise in young and older women. J Appl Physiol 2009; 107: 763-769
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Burke LM, Hawley JA, Schabort St EJ, Clair Gibson A, Mujika I, Noakes TD. Carbohydrate loading failed to improve 100-km cycling performance in a placebo-controlled trial. J Appl Physiol 2000; 88: 1284-1290
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Cannon DT, Kolkhorst FW, Cipriani DJ. Effect of pedaling technique on muscle activity and cycling efficiency. Eur J Appl Physiol 2007; 99: 659-664
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Chavarren J, Calbet JAL. Cycling efficiency and pedalling frequency in road cyclists. Eur J Appl Physiol 1999; 80: 555-563
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Coyle EF. Improved muscular efficiency displayed as Tour de France champion matures. J Appl Physiol 2005; 98: 2191-2196
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Dumke CL, McBride JM, Nieman DC, Gowin WD, Utter AC, McAnulty SR. Effect of duration and exogenous carbohydrate on gross efficiency during cycling. J Strength Cond Res 2007; 21: 1214-1219
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Esposito F, Cè E, Limonta E. Cycling efficiency and time to exhaustion are reduced after acute passive stretching administration. Scand J Med Sci Spor. 2011
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Faria IE. Energy expenditure, aerodynamics and medical problems in cycling. An update. Sports Med 1992; 14: 43-63
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Gaesser GA, Brooks GA. Muscular efficiency during steady-rate exercise: effects of speed and work rate. J Appl Physiol 1975; 38: 1132-1139
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Hansen EA, Sjøgaard G. Relationship between efficiency and pedal rate in cycling: significance of internal power and muscle fiber type composition. Scand J Med Sci Spor 2007; 17: 408-414
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Harriss DJ, Atkinson G. Update – ethical standards in sport and exercise science research. Int J Sports Med 2011; 32: 819-821
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Hettinga FJ, De Koning JJ, de Vrijer A, Wust RCI, Daanen HAM, Foster C. The effect of ambient temperature on gross-efficiency in cycling. Eur J Appl Physiol 2007; 101: 465-471
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Hopker JG, Coleman DA, Wiles J. Differences in efficiency between trained and recreational cyclists. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 2007; 32: 1036-1042
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Hopker JG, Coleman DA, Passfield L. Changes in cycling efficiency over a competitive season. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2009; 41: 912-919
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Hopker JG, Coleman DA, Passfield L, Wiles J. The effect of training volume and intensity on competitive cyclists’ efficiency. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 2010; 35: 17-22
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Hopker JG, Jobson SA, Carter H, Passfield L. Cycling efficiency in trained competitive male and female cyclists. J Sports Sci Med 2010; 9: 332-337
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Hopker JG, Jobson SA, Gregson HC, Coleman DA, Passfield L. Reliability of gross efficiency using the douglas bag method. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2012; 44: 290-296
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 Jansson E. On the significance of the respiratory exchange ratio after different diets during exercise in man. Acta Physiol Scand 1982; 114: 103-110
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Jeukendrup AE, Martin J. Improving cycling performance: how should we spend our time and money. Sports Med 2001; 31: 559-569
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 Joyner MJ, Coyle EF. Endurance exercise performance: the physiology of champions. J Physiol 2008; 586: 35-44
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 23 Leirdal S, Ettema G. The relationship between cadence, pedalling technique and gross efficiency in cycling. Eur J Appl Physiol 2011; 111: 2885-2893
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 24 Louis J, Hausswirth C, Easthope C, Brisswalter J. Strength training improves cycling efficiency in master endurance athletes. Eur J Appl Physiol 2012; 112: 631-640
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 25 Mogensen M, Bagger M, Pedersen PK, Fernström M, Sahlin K. Cycling efficiency in humans is related to low UCP3 content and to type I fibres but not to mitochondrial efficiency. J Physiol 2006; 571: 669-681
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 26 Moseley L, Achten J, Martin JC, Jeukendrup AE. No differences in cycling efficiency between world-class and recreational cyclists. Int J Sports Med 2004; 25: 374-379
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 27 Neufer PD, Costill DL, Flynn MG, Kirwan JP, Mitchell JB, Houmard J. Improvements in exercise performance: effects of carbohydrate feedings and diet. J Appl Physiol 1987; 62: 983-988
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 28 Sacchetti M, Lenti M, Di Palumbo AS, De Vito G. Different effect of cadence on cycling efficiency between young and older cyclists. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2010; 42: 2128-2133
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 29 Santalla A, Naranjo J, Terrados N. Muscle efficiency improves over time in world-class cyclists. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2009; 41: 1096-1101
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 30 Stainbsy WN, Gladden LB, Barclay JK, Wilson BA. Exercise efficiency: validity of base-line subtractions. J Appl Physiol 1980; 48: 518-522
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 31 Tarnopolsky MA, Atkinson SA, Phillips SM, MacDougall JD. Carbohydrate loading and metabolism during exercise in men and women. J Appl Physiol 1995; 78: 1360-1368
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 32 Theurel J, Crepin M, Foissac M, Temprado JJ. Effects of different pedalling techniques on muscle fatigue and mechanical efficiency during prolonged cycling. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2011
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 33 Tokui M, Hirakoba K. Effect of internal power on muscular efficiency during cycling exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol 2007; 101: 565-570
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 34 Zuntz N. Ueber die Bedeutung der verschiedenen Nahrstoffe. Pflugers Arch Physiol 1901; 83: 557-571
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar