Foskett, A., Erith, S. J., Brooks, J. H., & Williams, C. (2003). Carbohydrate ingestion and performance during soccer related activity. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 35(5), Supplement abstract 1660.

Male soccer players (N = 9) performed two trials of 90-minutes of simulated soccer activity, which has previously been shown to lead to a reduction in muscle glycogen. Two trials of fluid supplementation were provided. One used a 6.4% hypotonic carbohydrate-electrolyte solution and the other a placebo. Ss ingested before the exercise (5 ml/kg) and every 15 minutes in the exercise (2 ml/kg) until fatigue. Days before each trial, Ss' diets were analyzed.

Time to fatigue was not significantly different between conditions. Plasma glucose and serum insulin concentrations were higher in the carbohydrate-electrolyte condition. Ss' daily diets before the trials averaged 5.5 g/kg of carbohydrate intake.

Implication. If a soccer player sustains a high carbohydrate diet, ingestion of extra carbohydrate most likely will not produce any performance enhancement. It appears that habitual high carbohydrate diets are sufficient to sustain 90 minutes of soccer activity.

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