The Effect of Oral Carbohydrate Solutions on the Performance of Swimmers

It is well established that carbohydrate solutions can improve the performance in prolonged exercise. The aim of this study was to compare the impact of sugar and glucose solutions on exercise performance of swimmers. Twelve male teenager elite Iranian swimmers aged 12-17 years from Waterpolo Team of Ahvaz Oil Industry participated in a double-blind cross-over trial. They consumed three oral 6% purified carbohydrate solutions as glucose, sugar or placebo (aspartame) formulas in three non-consecutive days. In each day the swimmers undertook a 2×200-meter incremental swimming by 15 minutes time interval. Before starting the second course, subjects consumed their solutions. Blood glucose levels and time elapsed in two phases were recorded. Longer Swimming time significantly caused by sugar solution in the second course. Blood glucose level was increased by sugar and glucose solutions higher than the placebo before starting the second swim (p<0.05). However, after swimming, blood glucose concentrations were significantly elevated in all groups. After drinking a sugar solution and before starting the second 200-m swimming, the blood glucose level was higher than two other groups at this phase. Oral 6% sugar solution increased the time of swimming compared with oral glucose and placebo solutions in a 200-m swim. It can be explained by differences in Glycemic index in which sucrose has a lower GI than glucose.