A Nutrition Recovery Station Following Recreational Exercise Improves Fruit Consumption but Does Not Influence Fluid Recovery

Abstract

Immediate postexercise access to fruit/fluid via a recovery "station" is a common feature of mass participation sporting events. Yet little evidence exists examining their impact on subsequent dietary intake. The aim of this study was to determine if access to fruit/water/sports drinks within a recovery station significantly alters dietary and fluid intakes in the immediate postexercise period and influences hydration status the next morning. 127 (79 males) healthy participants (M ± SD, age = 22.5 ± 3.5y, body mass (BM) = 73 ± 13kg) completed two self-paced morning 10km runs separated by 1 week. Immediately following the first run, participants were randomly assigned to enter (or not) the recovery station for 30min. All participants completed the alternate recovery option the following week. Participants recorded BM before and after exercise and measured Urine Specific Gravity (U) before running and again the following morning. For both trial days, participants also completed 24h food and fluid records via a food diary that included photographs. Paired-sample t tests were used to assess differences in hydration and dietary outcome variables (Recovery vs. No Recovery). No difference in preexercise U or BM change from exercise were observed between treatments (p's > .05). Attending the recovery zone resulted in a greater total daily fluid (Recovery = 3.37 ± 1.46L, No Recovery = 3.16 ± 1.32L, p = .009) and fruit intake (Recovery = 2.37 ± 1.76 servings, No Recovery = 1.55 ± 1.61 servings, p > .001), but had no influence on daily total energy (Recovery = 10.15 ± 4.2MJ, No Recovery = 10.15 ± 3.9MJ), or macronutrient intakes (p > .05). Next morning U values were not different between treatments (Recovery = 1.018 ± 0.007, No Recovery = 1.019 ± 0.009, p > .05). Recovery stations provide an opportunity to modify dietary intake which promote positive lifestyle behaviors in recreational athletes.

Calorie-Containing Recovery Drinks Increase Recreational Runners’ Voluntary Energy and Carbohydrate Intake, with Minimal Impact on Fluid Recovery

“…In this study, providing ad libitum access to water, a commercial sports drink and sliced fruit in a recovery area had a positive influence on dietary intake (increasing fruit consumption) compared to when no recovery area was available (B. Desbrow et al, 2017). However, access to a recovery station did not influence total fluid or macronutrient intake across the remainder of the day or next morning hydration status (Urine Specific Gravity (USG)).…”

“…fun runs, marathons, triathlons). While these are often critical to promote recovery for individuals training or competing multiple times a day, this is less so for recreational athletes, as both fluid and substrate losses can be restored within 24hrs (Burke, van Loon, & Hawley, 2017;B. Desbrow, Barnes, Young, Cox, & Irwin, 2017).…”

“…In the former investigation, a range of items were provided including multiple beverages (calorie and caloriefree options) as well as sliced fruit (B. Desbrow et al, 2017), which are likely to have affected the recovery area's potential to influence subsequent dietary intake. In contrast, many events have limited resources (i.e.…”

Healthy Behavior and Sports Drinks: A Systematic Review

“…Therefore, consumption should be limited to athletes and people engaged in strenuous physical activity and should not be a daily or regular beverage for most people. In general, it is recommended to limit the consumption of sports drinks and opt for healthier options, such as water, to maintain adequate hydration during physical activity [30]. Sports drinks with optimal levels of carbohydrates and electrolytes (4% to 6%) allow for maintaining adequate levels of hydration and blood glucose, generating less cardiac stress and less fluid loss, improving performance in endurance sports [21,[31][32][33].…”