Hill, K. M., Whitehad, J. R., Brinkert, R. H., & Goodwin, J. (2008). The effects of a carbohydrate supplement on affect in college swimmers during intensive training. ACSM 55th Annual Meeting Indianapolis, Presentation Number, 853.

This study investigated the relationship between athletes' nutrition, feelings of general vitality, and perceptions of burnout in collegiate swimmers (N = 38), and the effects of pre-morning practice carbohydrate supplementation on affect, perceived exertion, and vitality during a period of intensive training. The athletes provided a 24-hour dietary recall and completed a dietary habits questionnaire, an Athletic Burnout Questionnaire, and a general vitality scale. Before morning practice, the athletes consumed 45g of carbohydrate or placebo for two days a week for two weeks (one week for each condition). After each practice session, athletes completed scales measuring ratings of perceived exertion, current feelings of affect, and current feelings of vitality.

Total kilocalories and total carbohydrate from the 24-hour recalls were not associated with athletic burnout or general vitality. There were no differences between the experimental (carbohydrate supplement) and placebo conditions on the (2-day average) scores on ratings of perceived exertion, current feelings of vitality, and the four subscales of the current feelings of affect. [Due to experimental mortality on Day 2 of each week (unrelated to the study), data comparing Day 1 of each experimental condition were also analyzed.] There were no statistical differences between the scores on the dependent variables between Day 1 of the experiment and placebo conditions.

Implication. Minimal carbohydrate supplementation failed to improve affective states of swimmers in intensive training. [Perhaps more intense supplementation would produce changes as has been shown in other research.]

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