Abstract
Due to the high metabolic and physical demands in single-stage one-day ultra-trail (SOUT) races, athletes should be properly prepared in both physical and nutritional aspects in order to delay fatigue and avoid associated difficulties. However, high carbohydrate (CHO) intake would seem to increase gastrointestinal (GI) problems. The main purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate CHO intake during SOUT events as well as its relationship with fatigue (in terms of internal exercise load, exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) and post-exercise recovery) and GI problems. A structured search was carried out in accordance with PRISMA guidelines in the following: Web of Science, Cochrane Library and Scopus databases up to 16 March 2021. After conducting the search and applying the inclusion/exclusion criteria, eight articles in total were included in this systematic review, in all of which CHO intake involved gels, energy bars and sports drinks. Two studies associated higher CHO consumption (120 g/h) with an improvement in internal exercise load. Likewise, these studies observed that SOUT runners whose intake was 120 g/h could benefit by limiting the EIMD observed by CK (creatine kinase), LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) and GOT (aspartate aminotransferase), and also improve recovery of high intensity running capacity 24 h after a trail marathon. In six studies, athletes had GI symptoms between 65–82%. In summary, most of the runners did not meet CHO intake standard recommendations for SOUT events (90 g/h), while athletes who consumed more CHO experienced a reduction in internal exercise load, limited EIMD and improvement in post-exercise recovery. Conversely, the GI symptoms were recurrent in SOUT athletes depending on altitude, environmental conditions and running speed. Therefore, a high CHO intake during SOUT events is important to delay fatigue and avoid GI complications, and to ensure high intake, it is necessary to implement intestinal training protocols.
Highlights
Participation in single-stage one-day ultra-trail (SOUT) races has increased in recent years [1]
(Comparators): “international recommendations for CHO intake at events lasting more than 3 h”, O (Outcomes): “CHO intake, post-exercise recovery, internal load and GI
A systematic search of current scientific literature was undertaken to find up-to-date information about CHO intake consumed by ultra-trail athletes who compete in events of more than 4 h duration during SOUT races, as well as its relationship with exercise load, exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) and GI problems
Summary
“endurance and ultra-endurance runners”, I (Intervention): “CHO intake during SOUT”, C (Comparators): “international recommendations for CHO intake at events lasting more than 3 h”, O (Outcomes): “CHO intake, post-exercise recovery, internal load and GI problems“, S (Study design): “any type of design”. A systematic search of current scientific literature was undertaken to find up-to-date information about CHO intake consumed by ultra-trail athletes who compete in events of more than 4 h duration during SOUT races, as well as its relationship with exercise load, EIMD and GI problems. Relevant articles were obtained using this equation by applying the snowball strategy, with all titles and abstracts from the search being cross-referenced to identify duplicates and any potentially missing studies. The search for published studies was carried out independently by two authors (S.A. and J.M.A.), and any disagreements about all outcomes were resolved through discussion (J.C.G.)
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