Exercise performance as a function of semi-solid and liquid carbohydrate feedings during prolonged exercise.

Aim of this study was to examine the effects of a semi-solid and a liquid carbohydrate feeding on exercise performance. Thirty-two male triathletes performed three exercise trials (3 hours maximal at 75% VO2max) with either a semi-solid feeding (S), an iso-caloric liquid feeding (F) or a liquid placebo (P). Exercise consisted of cycling (bout 1 and 3) and running (bout 2 and 4). Survival analysis revealed that the median maximum test time (MTT) with F, S and P was 180, 126 and 120 min, respectively. Median MTT was longer with F than with S (sign-test; p < 0.05) or P (p < 0.001), with no difference between S and P. Mean power output during supra-maximal tests after bout 2 (W1) and at the end of exercise (Wend) were 371, 365, 362 and 334, 332, 321 W with F, S and P, respectively. Differences between F and P were significant (p < 0.01). Regression analysis identified five variables that were associated with 93% of the variance in MTT. The variance in W1 was explained for 83% by three variables. Wend was explained (90%) by three variables. A significant dietary contribution to MTT and Wend was found, but not to W1. This suggests that the influence of the feedings on performance is different among performance tests.