Effect of low- and high-carbohydrate diets on swimming economy: a crossover study

Merry A. Bestard,George H. Crocker,Jeffrey A. Rothschild

doi:10.1186/s12970-020-00392-3

Abstract

BackgroundSwimming economy refers to the rate of energy expenditure relative to swimming speed of movement, is inversely related to the energetic cost of swimming, and is as a key factor influencing endurance swimming performance. The objective of this study was to determine if high-carbohydrate, low-fat (HCLF) and low-carbohydrate, high-fat (LCHF) diets affect energetic cost of submaximal swimming.MethodsEight recreational swimmers consumed two 3-day isoenergetic diets in a crossover design. Diets were tailored to individual food preferences, and macronutrient consumption was 69–16-16% and 16–67-18% carbohydrate-fat-protein for the HCLF and LCHF diets, respectively. Following each 3-day dietary intervention, participants swam in a flume at velocities associated with 50, 60, and 70% of their maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max). Expired breath was collected and analyzed while they swam which enabled calculation of the energetic cost of swimming. A paired t-test compared macronutrient distribution between HCLF and LCHF diets, while repeated-measures ANOVA determined effects of diet and exercise intensity on physiological endpoints.ResultsRespiratory exchange ratio was significantly higher in HCLF compared to LCHF (p = 0.003), but there were no significant differences in the rate of oxygen consumption (p = 0.499) or energetic cost of swimming (p = 0.324) between diets. Heart rate did not differ between diets (p = 0.712), but oxygen pulse, a non-invasive surrogate for stroke volume, was greater following the HCLF diet (p = 0.029).ConclusionsA 3-day high-carbohydrate diet increased carbohydrate utilization but did not affect swimming economy at 50–70% VO2max. As these intensities are applicable to ultramarathon swims, future studies should use higher intensities that would be more relevant to shorter duration events.

Highlights

It is well established that providing adequate carbohydrate to working muscles is a key contributor to optimal endurance performance [1]
Rate of O2 consumption increased with exercise intensity (F(1.18,8.23) = 23.79, p < 0.001), but there was no difference between diets (Fig. 2a)
Energetic cost of swimming ranged from 649 J m− 1 at 50% Maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max) on the LCHF diet to 755 J m− 1 at 70% VO2max on the HCLF diet

Summary

Introduction

It is well established that providing adequate carbohydrate to working muscles is a key contributor to optimal endurance performance [1]. Improved cycling efficiency (i.e., lower rate of energy expenditure at the same power) has been reported following 3 days of a high-carbohydrate, low-fat (HCLF) diet [12], and movement economy was decreased (i.e., higher rate of energy expenditure at the same velocity) in runners and race walkers following 5 days [7, 8] and 3–4 weeks [13,14,15] of ketogenic LCHF dietary interventions. It is currently unknown if dietary changes can influence swimming economy. The objective of this study was to determine if high-carbohydrate, low-fat (HCLF) and lowcarbohydrate, high-fat (LCHF) diets affect energetic cost of submaximal swimming

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Discussion

Conclusion