The Effects Of High Molecular Weight Carbohydrate Supplementation On Skeletal Muscle Performance

Abstract

Athletes continue to seek new and improved strategies to preserve skeletal muscle strength and attenuate effects of skeletal muscle fatigue during resistance training. The ingestion of carbohydrates prior-to and during resistance training was hypothesized to improve both skeletal muscle performance and attenuate fatigue. VitargoS2TM is a high molecular weight carbohydrate supplement that promotes enhanced performance with its consumption prior-to and during physical activity. PURPOSE: To examine the influence of high molecular weight carbohydrate (HMC) consumption on skeletal muscle performance and fatigue following exhaustive lower-limb resistance training exercise. METHODS: Five-female and seven-male (n = 12) healthy college-aged individuals participated (26.1 ± 3.8 yrs) in a double-blinded crossover trial. Participants took part in three sessions across the study period: familiarization, Test Day 1 and Test Day 2. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two conditions [control (CON) or high molecular weight carbohydrate supplement (HMC)] for each of the two testing sessions. Lower-limb isometric and isokinetic concentric strength was assessed prior-to and immediately following a resistance-training session on two occasions. Outcome measures included lower-limb isometric and isokinetic concentric peak torque, blood glucose concentration, and rate of perceived exertion (RPE). RESULTS: The HMC condition elicited a significant increase in blood glucose concentration from Pre-Workout to Post-Workout (Pre-Workout: 92.1±14.4 mg/dl and Post-Workout: 118.3±15.2 mg/dl) compared to the control condition (Pre-Workout: 95.6±15.6 mg/dl and Post-Workout: 108.1±14.5 mg/dl). Isometric strength was reduced by 25.4 Nm (HMC) and 35.0 Nm (CON) following the lower-limb resistance training session; however, no ergogenic effect was found (p>0.05). Isokinetic concentric strength did not differ (p>0.05) following the HMC supplementation compared to the CON condition. No difference was found in RPE between the HMC and CON condition (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The consumption of HMC supplementation prior to and during resistance-training exercise did not improve skeletal muscle performance and attenuated skeletal muscle fatigue following a lower-limb resistance-training exercise session.