Borsheim, E., Cree, M., Tipton, K. D., Elliott, T. A., Aarsland, A., & Wolfe, R. R. (2003). Effect of carbohydrate intake on net muscle protein balance after resistance exercise. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 35(5), Supplement abstract 1916.

Two groups of eight Ss performed resistance exercises (10 sets of 8 leg presses at 80% 1 RM). After exercise, Ss rested in bed for four hours. One group received a carbohydrate drink containing 100 gm of CHO, while the other ingested a placebo.

Arterial insulin concentration increased markedly and net muscle protein balance improved after the CHO drink but not after the placebo. The improvement resulted mainly from the suppression of protein breakdown. However, the effect is small and delayed when compared to previous reports of the effect of an intake of amino acids.

Implication. Ingestion of CHO improves net muscle protein balance following demanding resistance exercise. The improvement is not as marked as that resulting from amino acid ingestion.

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