Doyle, J. A., Papadopoulos, C., & Martin, D. E. (2000). Distance running performance with gel and liquid carbohydrate. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 32(5), Supplement abstract 885.

This study determined if consuming carbohydrate in gel or liquid forms produced different effects on performance. Well-trained distance runners (N = 7) ran for 90 minutes at 70% VO2max and then followed with a 10 km time trial. One trial used water as a pre-performance supplement, while two others used the same CHO content in either gel or liquid form.

There was no difference in performance throughout or at the end of the 10-km run between the two forms of CHO supplementation.

Implication. Gel or liquid forms of carbohydrate have similar effects on performance.

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