Carbohydrate use and reduction in number of balance beam falls: implications for mental and physical fatigue

Abstract

BackgroundArtistic Gymnastics is a sport where athletes are frequently fatigued. One element that might influence this aspect is carbohydrate, an important energy substrate for the muscles and the CNS. Our goal was to investigate the influence of fatigue over artistic gymnastics athlete’s performance and the effects of a carbohydrate supplementation on their performance.MethodsWe evaluated 15 athletes divided in 2 groups (control and fatigue) from 12 to 14 years old in two different experimental days. On the first day (water day), they did 5 sets of exercises on the balance beam (experimental protocol) ingesting only water, CG (control group) warmed up before the experimental protocol and FG (fatigue group) did a fatigue circuit, warm up exercises and then the experimental protocol. On the second day (carbohydrate day), we used the same protocol but CG ingested a sugar free flavored juice and FG ingested a 20% concentration maltodextrin solution before the protocol on the balance beam.ResultsWe observed a greater number of falls from the balance beam from the FG on the first day (5.40 ± 1.14 FG vs 3.33 ± 1.37 CG; p = 0.024) and a decrease in the number of falls on the second day (2.29 ± 1.25 FG water day vs 5.40 ± 1.14 FG carbohydrate day; p = 0.0013). Carbohydrate solution was able to supply muscle demands and improve the athlete’s focus showed by the reduced number of falls.

Mitochondrial energy metabolism in the hepatopancreas of freshwater crabs (Sinopotamon henanense) after cadmium exposure

“…For most organisms, carbohydrates provided the immediate source of energy (Batatinha et al, 2013). 44 Under Cd stress conditions, carbohydrate reserves are mobilized to meet the energy demands (Pretto et al, 2014). 45 In accordance with this, Cd-exposed crabs typically contain fewer carbohydrates in the hepatopancreas compared to the control.…”

“…It was necessary, therefore, to study the relationship between substance metabolism and mitochondrial energy metabolism. For most organisms, carbohydrates provided the immediate source of energy (Batatinha et al, 2013). 44 Under Cd stress conditions, carbohydrate reserves are mobilized to meet the energy demands (Pretto et al, 2014).…”

Nutritional Considerations for Performance in Young Athletes

“…Dougherty et al demonstrated performance improvements with basketball skills test with carbohydrate compared to water ingestion [ 102 ]. Batatinha et al demonstrated gymnasts experienced a reduction in the number of falls from a balance beam with carbohydrate ingestion during a session [ 103 ]. Smith et al demonstrated performance was improved with carbohydrate ingestion during football skill performance [ 104 ].…”

Energy Drinks Do Not Improve Le Parkour Performance: A Randomized Controlled Study

“…Even with studies as mentioned above, Alford et al [15] and Ivy et al [17] observed positive effects with the ingestion of one or two cans of energy drinks on aerobic and anaerobic resistance, focus, alert state and reaction time. This fact raises the hypothesis that other compounds on this beverage (or the association of all of them) might be associated with performance improvement [21] [22].…”