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article 2024 9 pages

A comparative observational study of carbohydrate intake and continuous blood glucose levels in relation to performance in ultramarathon

Naho Inamura, Hirokazu Taniguchi, Shiori Yoshida, Masato Nishioka, Kengo Ishihara

Journal
Scientific Reports
DOI
10.1038/s41598-023-51048-6
Publication type
Original Research
Study type
observational study
Population
ultra-endurance athletes
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Abstract

Ultra-endurance events have gained global participation, whereas the critical factors of competition results remain to be well elucidated. This study used a nutritional approach to evaluate the association of competition results with carbohydrate intake and blood glucose control during a 100-mile ultramarathon. This observational study was conducted in the 2021 LAKE BIWA 100, which covered 100 miles (169 km) and 10,500 m elevation. The course was divided into 9 segments by aid station. According to the competition results, 22 participants (18 men and 4 women) were divided into higher finishers (n = 7), lower finishers (n = 9), and non-finishers (n = 6). The participants self-recorded their overall dietary intake throughout the race. Glucose levels were monitored every 15 min by a flash glucose monitoring system. Running speed in each segment was standardized to the average of the top five finishers for each gender. Among finishers, the carbohydrate intakes were significantly higher in the higher finishers than in the lower finishers during overall segments, especially in the first half of the race (p 

Description

The study investigates dietary intake and glucose levels in ultramarathon runners.