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Carbohydrates for Running Performance

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Overseen byJamie A Cooper, Ph.D.

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Recruiting

Sponsor: University of Georgia

Must not be taking: Metabolic rate, Hydration altering

Disqualifiers: Low carbohydrate diet, Chronic diseases, others

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Carbohydrates serve as the body's primary energy source during intense exercise, and consuming carbohydrates during exercise has been shown to improve exercise performance. Previous research has shown that the presence of carbohydrates in the mouth activates sweet taste receptors on the tongue, which signal the brain to increase neural activation in areas associated with motor functioning, sensory perception, and reward centers during exercise through this CPR. The primary objective of this intervention is to establish how carbohydrates delivered in different forms (MR versus dissolvable strip (DS)) affect running performance during a 12.8km running TT.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial requires that you stop taking medications that could alter your metabolic rate or hydration status.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Carbohydrate Mouth Rinse for running performance?

Some studies suggest that rinsing the mouth with a carbohydrate solution can improve performance in activities like cycling by opposing performance declines seen with water rinses. However, the benefits for running performance are not clearly supported, as one study found no significant improvement in running and jumping tasks with carbohydrate mouth rinse.¹ ² ³ ⁴ ⁵

Is carbohydrate mouth rinse safe for humans?

Carbohydrate mouth rinses are generally considered safe for humans, but high intake of sports drinks containing carbohydrates can lead to dental issues and health concerns like obesity and diabetes.¹ ² ⁵ ⁶ ⁷

How is the Carbohydrate Dissolvable Strip and Mouth Rinse treatment unique for running performance?

The Carbohydrate Mouth Rinse is unique because it involves swishing a carbohydrate solution in the mouth, which may enhance performance by activating receptors in the mouth that signal the brain, potentially improving endurance without needing to ingest the carbohydrates.¹ ³ ⁵ ⁸ ⁹

Research Team

Jamie A Cooper, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

University of Georgia

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for men and women aged 18-45 with a normal BMI, who are endurance-trained athletes regularly training at least 4 times a week. Women must be in the early phase of their menstrual cycle to participate. Individuals over 35 need to pass a fitness safety questionnaire.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 18 and 45 years old.

I am either male or female.

I am over 35 and have passed a fitness readiness test.

See 3 more

Exclusion Criteria

Donation of blood in the 20 days prior to testing

I am over 35 and failed the PARQ2 fitness test.

Low carbohydrate diet (such as The Zone™ Diet or Atkins™ Diet)

See 7 more

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Baseline Visit

Participants sign informed consent documents, undergo anthropometric measurements, and familiarize with the MR and DS and the exercise protocol

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants perform a 12.8 km running time trial on a motorized treadmill with different carbohydrate treatments

3 weeks

3 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

1 week

Treatment Details

Interventions

Carbohydrate Dissolvable Strip (Other)
Carbohydrate Mouth Rinse (Other)
Water Mouth Rinse (Other)

Trial OverviewThe study tests how different carbohydrate delivery methods (a dissolvable strip versus mouth rinse) affect running performance during a nearly 8-mile run. It explores if carbs can boost energy by activating taste receptors that signal the brain.

Participant Groups

3Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Placebo Group

Group I: Carbohydrate Dissolvable StripExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Subjects will be instructed to complete the 12.8 km time trial (TT) as quickly as possible. They will be able to adjust the speed on the treadmill throughout the TT but will have no knowledge of what speed they are actually running at. The researcher will monitor the progress of the TT, and the completion time will be recorded. The carbohydrate dissolvable strip treatment will be given just before the start of the TT and every 12.5% of the TT, but not after the completion of the TT.

Group II: Carbohydrate Mouth RinseActive Control1 Intervention

Subjects will be instructed to complete the 12.8 km time trial (TT) as quickly as possible. They will be able to adjust the speed on the treadmill throughout the TT but will have no knowledge of what speed they are actually running at. The researcher will monitor the progress of the TT, and the completion time will be recorded. The carbohydrate mouth rinse treatment will be given just before the start of the TT and every 12.5% of the TT, but not after the completion of the TT.

Group III: Water Mouth RinsePlacebo Group1 Intervention

Subjects will be instructed to complete the 12.8 km time trial (TT) as quickly as possible. They will be able to adjust the speed on the treadmill throughout the TT but will have no knowledge of what speed they are actually running at. The researcher will monitor the progress of the TT, and the completion time will be recorded. The water mouth rinse treatment will be given just before the start of the TT and every 12.5% of the TT, but not after the completion of the TT.

Find a Clinic Near You

Research Locations NearbySelect from list below to view details:

University of GeorgiaAthens, GA

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Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Georgia

Lead Sponsor

Trials

109

Patients Recruited

43,500+

Findings from Research

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Carbohydrate mouth rinsing has no effect on power output during cycling in a glycogen-reduced state.Ali, A., Yoo, MJ., Moss, C., et al.[2022]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Opposition of carbohydrate in a mouth-rinse solution to the detrimental effect of mouth rinsing during cycling time trials.Gam, S., Guelfi, KJ., Fournier, PA.[2022]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Influence of carbohydrate mouth rinsing on running and jumping performance during early morning soccer scrimmaging.Přibyslavská, V., Scudamore, EM., Johnson, SL., et al.[2016]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mouth rinsing with a carbohydrate solution attenuates exercise-induced decline in executive function.Konishi, K., Kimura, T., Yuhaku, A., et al.[2022]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Carbohydrate mouth rinse improves cycling performance carried out until the volitional exhaustion.Bavaresco Gambassi, B., Gomes de Santana Barros Leal, Y., Pinheiro Dos Anjos, ER., et al.[2019]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sports drinks and dental erosion.Noble, WH., Donovan, TE., Geissberger, M.[2011]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Maltodextrin-Based Carbohydrate Oral Rinsing and Exercise Performance: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Hartley, C., Carr, A., Bowe, SJ., et al.[2022]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Carbohydrate Mouth Rinse on Cycling Time Trial Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Brietzke, C., Franco-Alvarenga, PE., Coelho-Júnior, HJ., et al.[2021]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Carbohydrate Mouth Rinsing on Salivary Lysozyme, Mood States and Running Performance Among Recreational Runners.Muhamad, AS., Puad, NFRM., Kuan, G.[2022]