McCartney D, Desbrow B, Irwin C. Post-exercise Ingestion of Carbohydrate, Protein and Water: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis for Effects on Subsequent Athletic Performance.
Sports Med 2018;
48:379-408. [PMID:
29098657 DOI:
10.1007/s40279-017-0800-5]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Athletes may complete consecutive exercise sessions with limited recovery time between bouts (e.g. ≤ 4 h). Nutritional strategies that optimise post-exercise recovery in these situations are therefore important.
OBJECTIVE
This two-part review investigated the effect of consuming carbohydrate (CHO) and protein with water (W) following exercise on subsequent athletic (endurance/anaerobic exercise) performance.
DATA SOURCES
Studies were identified by searching the online databases SPORTDiscus, PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus.
STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND INTERVENTIONS
Investigations that measured endurance performance (≥ 5 min duration) ≤ 4 h after a standardised exercise bout (any type) under the following control vs. intervention conditions were included: Part 1: W vs. CHO ingested with an equal volume of W (CHO + W); and, Part 2: CHO + W vs. protein (PRO) ingested with CHO and an equal volume of W (PRO + CHO + W), where CHO or energy intake was matched.
STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS
Publications were examined for bias using the Rosendal scale. Random-effects meta-analyses and meta-regression analyses were conducted to evaluate intervention efficacy.
RESULTS
The quality assessment yielded a Rosendal score of 63 ± 9% (mean ± standard deviation). Part 1: 45 trials (n = 486) were reviewed. Ingesting CHO + W (102 ± 50 g CHO; 0.8 ± 0.6 g CHO kg-1 h-1) improved exercise performance compared with W (1.6 ± 0.7 L); %Δ mean power output = 4.0, 95% confidence interval 3.2-4.7 (I 2 = 43.9). Improvement was attenuated when participants were 'Fed' (a meal 2-4 h prior to the initial bout) as opposed to 'Fasted' (p = 0.012). Part 2: 13 trials (n = 125) were reviewed. Ingesting PRO + CHO + W (35 ± 26 g PRO; 0.5 ± 0.4 g PRO kg-1) did not affect exercise performance compared with CHO + W (115 ± 61 g CHO; 0.6 ± 0.3 g CHO·kg body mass-1 h-1; 1.2 ± 0.6 L); %Δ mean power output = 0.5, 95% confidence interval - 0.5 to 1.6 (I 2 = 72.9).
CONCLUSIONS
Athletes with limited time for recovery between consecutive exercise sessions should prioritise CHO and fluid ingestion to enhance subsequent athletic performance. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42016046807.
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