Evans ES, Brophy T, Braswell MR, Boyle J, Harris GK, Watkins RH, Bailey SP. Carbohydrate mouth rinsing does not affect 6-min walk test performance and blood glucose responses in older adults.
Eur J Appl Physiol 2021;
121:2849-2858. [PMID:
34173862 DOI:
10.1007/s00421-021-04753-x]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE
Carbohydrate (CHO) mouth rinsing (MR) prior to exercise has been shown to elicit enhanced performance and energy availability in some studies. Previous literature has concentrated on examining CHO MR strategies for improving aerobic endurance performance in younger athletic adults. Knowledge of the impact of CHO MR on functional performance in older adults is scarce. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if CHO MR would improve 6-min walk test (6MWT) performance, perceived exertion, and blood glucose responses in older adults.
METHOD
Thirty-three individuals (16 males, 17 females), age ≥ 70 years performed two 6MWT trials, one of which utilized a 6.4% maltodextrin CHO MR and one of which utilized a placebo MR. Participants held the MR in their mouth for 20 s prior to the 6MWT, and trials occurred in a counterbalanced fashion. Total distance walked and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded upon completion of each 6MWT. Heart rate (HR), peripheral blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), systolic and diastolic blood pressures (BP), blood glucose, and blood lactate were measured before and after each 6MWT.
RESULT
CHO MR did not alter the response of any study parameter compared to the placebo MR (p = 0.13-0.94). HR, systolic BP, and blood lactate increased and SpO2 decreased across time (p < 0.01).
CONCLUSION
A 6.4% maltodextrin CHO MR did not alter total distance walked, perceived exertion, or other physiological responses elicited by the 6MWT in older adults.
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