Breitkopf, N. P., & Wilkinson, J. G. (2000). The effect of different carbohydrate diets on cycling performance and blood lactate concentrations. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 32(5), Supplement abstract 119.

Male collegiate cyclists (N = 13) experienced two diets; hiCHO (6 gm/kgBW/day) and loCHO (4 gm/kbBW/day). Performance was measured on a graded discontinuous exercise.

VO2, VE, RER, HR, RPE, and La, as well as peak power output and performance, were not significantly different between treatments. The concentrations of dietary CHO used in this investigation did not alter performance or lactate concentrations.

Implication. There has to be a considerable difference between levels of dietary CHO concentrations for performance and lactate measures to be different. It is likely that minor increases in dietary CHO concentrations will not produce any performance improvements.

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