The Effects Carbohydrate Loading Has on Aerobic Performance

The purpose of this research was to determine the effects of drinking a carbohydrate sports drink compared to a placebo drink before 35 minutes of strenuous aerobic exercise (70-75% of Max Heart Rate). Perceived rate of exertion, work load, blood glucose levels, and heart rates were collected from non-athletes at a Northwest College. Nine participants were randomly provided a placebo or carbohydrate drink 1 hour before each trial after fasting for ten hours. Each participant completed four trials with three days’ rest between trials. Based on the results there was a significant difference in work output between the placebo and treatment trials (p = 0.019253267), which resulted in a 5% greater work output for participants who consumed the carbohydrate drink. Participants always reported a lower rate of perceived exertion when consuming the carbohydrate drink. In conclusion participants were able to cycle a longer distance in the 35 minute trials after consuming the carbohydrate drink. The perceived rate of exertion difference between trials was more noticeable in the late stages of the trials. It may be beneficial to increase length of the trials to longer than an hour to determine if there is a greater benefit of carbohydrate loading in longer trials