Fluid, energy, and nutrient recovery via ad libitum intake of different commercial beverages and food in female athletes

Abstract

When consumed voluntarily and with food, different beverages promote similar levels of fluid recovery, but alter energy/nutrient intakes. Providing access to food and understanding the longer-term dietary goals of female athletes are important considerations when recommending a recovery beverage.

The effect of different post-exercise beverages with food on ad libitum fluid recovery, nutrient provision, and subsequent athletic performance

“…Specifically, the administration of a CHO-electrolyte sports beverage increased energy (M: ~2.5 MJ, or ~32%; F: ~1.0 MJ, or ~25%) and CHO (M: ~186 g, or ~95%; F: ~73 g, or ~68%) intake, compared to water. The milk-based formulations also increased energy and nutrient provision (to a similar extent observed with the CHO-electrolyte sports beverage for males and to an even greater extent in females); though, these tended to increase ratings of gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort [16][17][18]. Given that in both previous investigations participants were free to leave the laboratory at the end of the recovery period, the extent to which anticipation of a subsequent exercise session influences food/fluid choices requires clarification.…”

“…Our previous studies investigating post-exercise ad libitum food and fluid consumption behavior have demonstrated significant beverage effects (i.e. Water vs. Sports Drink) on total CHO intake in males (Cohen's dZ=2.7) [16] and females (dZ=2.1) [17]. Using a power (1-β) of 0.95, an a=0.01 and a more conservative effect size (dZ=2.0), we anticipated that 8 male and 8 female subjects would be required to create a significant difference in CHO ingestion (i.e.…”

“…Two recent studies conducted in our laboratory have investigated how the provision of different beverages influences post-exercise fluid/nutrient recovery when consumed voluntarily and with access to food [16,17].…”

“…These studies, involving endurance-trained males (M; n=10) [16] and females (F; n=8) [17], gave participants ad libitum access to one type of beverage (water, a CHO-electrolyte sports beverage or several milk-based formulations) and a variety of foods during a 4 h recovery period. In both instances, the different beverages were similarly effective at replenishing fluid losses.…”

“…This was attributed to: (1) the water and CHO-electrolyte sports beverage being ingested in larger volumes than the milk-based formulations, and (2) the co-ingested food improving retention of these "simple" fluids [13,14]. Importantly, however, the consumption of different beverages did influence energy and CHO intake [16,17]. Specifically, the administration of a CHO-electrolyte sports beverage increased energy (M: ~2.5 MJ, or ~32%; F: ~1.0 MJ, or ~25%) and CHO (M: ~186 g, or ~95%; F: ~73 g, or ~68%) intake, compared to water.…”