Carbohydrate Mouth Rinsing Enhances The Performance Of High-Volume Resistance Exercise

Abstract

PURPOSE: Prior investigations have found that the presence of carbohydrate in the mouth can enhance endurance performance. We investigated the effect of carbohydrate mouth rinsing on high-volume resistance exercise performance. METHODS: Fifteen recreationally-trained women (age 26±4 years; height 161.9±5.1 cm; weight 59.5±8.2 kg) completed two resistance exercise bouts consisting of three sets of five exercises (half-squat, leg press, bench press, military press, and seated row) to volitional fatigue at a 10RM load. Immediately prior to and during the middle of each exercise bout, subjects mouth rinsed for 10s with 100ml either a 6% maltodextrin solution (CHO) or an identically-flavored aspartame solution (PLA) in a randomized, double-blind, counterbalanced fashion. Load lifted and repetitions completed during each set were recorded. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were assessed using the 10-point Borg scale after each set. Data were analyzed with Student t Teste for total load (exercise * Sets * repetitions) and mean of PSE. RESULTS: CHO resulted in greater (∼8.6%) total volume load lifted than in PLA (p≤0.015). RPE was significantly lower in CHO than in PLA (p = 0,001). CONCLUSION: These data indicate that CHO mouth rinsing can enhance high-volume resistance exercise performance of >45 min duration and lower the perception of effort despite a completion of a greater workload.