The Effects of Water or Sports Drink Ingestion Prior to Exercise on the Performance of Middle Distance, Amateur Runners in a Thermoneutral Environment

Author

Julie A. Barnes, Grand Valley State University
Scott G. DeVries, Grand Valley State University

Date Approved

4-24-1999

Graduate Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Physical Therapy (M.S.)

Degree Program

Physical Therapy

Abstract

Sports drinks have been shown to influence running performance, however, the best methods of hydration are still unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of water versus sports drink (6% carbohydrate/electrolyte) hydration prior to an exercise bout on the performance of middle distance, amateur runners. Ten subjects were randomly assigned to run two trials and began with either ingestion of water or sports drink. They then completed a maximal treadmill test to volitional exhaustion and returned two days later and drank the opposite drink. Maximal oxygen consumption (VO₂ max), time of run, heart rate, respiratory exchange ratio, and expiratory volume were analyzed to measure performance. The Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test showed p = .036 when comparing the VO₂max of sports drink trials versus water trials, however, no other outcome measures reached a significant level. Therefore, drinking a sports drink prior to a middle distance run appears to improve VO₂max when compared to water ingestion.

Comments

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ScholarWorks Citation

Barnes, Julie A. and DeVries, Scott G., "The Effects of Water or Sports Drink Ingestion Prior to Exercise on the Performance of Middle Distance, Amateur Runners in a Thermoneutral Environment" (1999). Masters Theses. 338.
https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/theses/338