Physiological and Performance Effects of Carbohydrate Gels Consumed Prior to the Extra-Time Period of Prolonged Simulated Soccer Match-Play

Liam Harper, Marc A. Briggs, Ged McNamee, Daniel J. West, Liam P. Kilduff, Emma J. Stevenson, Mark Russell

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objectives: The physiological and performance effects of carbohydrate-electrolyte gels consumed before the 30 min extra-time period of prolonged soccer-specific exercise were investigated. Design: Randomised, double-blind, crossover. Methods: Eight English Premier League academy soccer players performed 120 min of soccer-specific exercise on two occasions while consuming fluid-electrolyte beverages before exercise, at half-time and 90 min. Carbohydrate–electrolyte (0.7 ± 0.1 g kg−1 BM) or energy-free placebo gels were consumed ∼5 min before extra-time. Blood samples were taken before exercise, at half-time and every 15 min during exercise. Physical (15-m and 30-m sprint speed, 30-m sprint maintenance and countermovement jump height) and technical (soccer dribbling) performance was assessed throughout each trial. Results: Carbohydrate–electrolyte gels improved dribbling precision (+29 ± 20%) and raised blood glucose concentrations by 0.7 ± 0.8 mmol l−1 during extra-time (both p < 0.01). Supplementation did not affect sprint velocities (15 m and 30 m), 30-m sprint maintenance or dribbling speed as reductions compared to 0–15 min values occurred at 105–120 min irrespective of trial (all p < 0.05). Plasma osmolality and blood sodium concentrations increased post-exercise vs. the opening 15 min (p < 0.05) but no effect of supplementation existed. Selected markers of physical performance (jump height, 30-m sprint velocity and 30-m repeated sprint maintenance) also reduced by >3% during half-time (all p < 0.05). Conclusions: Carbohydrate–electrolyte gel ingestion raised blood glucose concentrations and improved dribbling performance during the extra-time period of simulated soccer match-play. Supplementation did not attenuate reductions in physical performance and hydration status that occurred during extra-time.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)509-514
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Science and Medicine in Sport
Volume19
Issue number6
Early online date17 Jun 2015
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2016
Externally publishedYes

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