Fluid provision and metabolic responses to soccer-specific exercise

The present study aimed to investigate the impact on metabolism of altering the timing and volume of ingested carbohydrate during soccer-specific exercise. Twelve soccer players performed a soccer-specific protocol on three occasions. On two, 7 ml kg⁻¹ carbohydrate–electrolyte or placebo were ingested at 0 and 45 min. On a third, the same total volume of carbohydrate–electrolyte was consumed but at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60 and 75 min. Carbohydrate–electrolyte ingestion increased blood glucose, insulin and carbohydrate oxidation, whilst suppressing NEFA, glycerol and fat oxidation (P < 0.05) although manipulating the schedule of carbohydrate ingestion elicited similar metabolic responses (P > 0.05). However, consuming fluid in small volumes reduced the sensation of gut fullness (P < 0.05). The results demonstrated that when the total volume of carbohydrate consumed is equal, manipulating the timing and volume of ingestion elicits similar metabolic responses. Furthermore, consuming a small volume of fluid at regular intervals reduces the sensation of gut fullness.