The effect of carbohydrate mouth rinse on physical performance during a 24.5 km cycling time trial

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of carbohydrate mouth rinse on physical performance during a 24.5 km cycling time trial. Twenty trained cyclists (41.0±10.5 years; 76.9 ± 7.9 kg of body mass) performed two indoor trainer cycling time trials in a randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind and crossover experimental design.\xa0 In one occasion participants mouth-rinsed a 6.4% carbohydrate mixed solution (CHO) and in other occasion participants rinsed with a taste-matched placebo (PLA) for 5 seconds each 12.5% of total completion of the trial. During the trials, participants were instructed to perform as fast as possible at a self-chosen pace. Time, cycling power output and ratings of perceived exertion were obtained during the trial. There were no statistical differences in the time employed to complete the distance with CHO and PLA (2941 ± 391 vs 2986 ± 383 s; p = 0.252, respectively) with an effect size (ES) of 0.12. Similarly, average power output during the trial presented no difference between treatments (223.8 ± 50.69 vs. 218.4 ± 47.3 W, p = 0.280; ES = 0.12). CHO was ineffective to improve climbing power output (241.6 ± 45.5 vs. 234.1 ± 42.6 W, p = 0.116; ES = 0.18), peak power output during the sprint (729.4 ± 270.5 vs. 695.8 ± 235.4 W, p = 0.375; ES = 0.14) and the ratings of perceived exertion (16.00 ± 1.34 vs. 15.35 ± 1.76, p = 0.061; ES = 0.37%). Mouth rinsing with a carbohydrate solution did not improve physical performance during cycling time trial in trained male cyclists.