Published date: Nov 16 2017

Journal Title: Arab Journal of Nutrition and Exercise

Issue title: AJNE: Vol 2, No 1 (2017)

Pages: 23-39

DOI: 10.18502/ajne.v2i1.1242

Sousana Papadopoulou

Elpiniki Kroustalloudi

Ioannis Pagkalos

Anna Kokkinopoulou

Maria Hassapidoumnhas@nutr.teithe.grDepartment of Nutrition & Dietetics, Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki, Sindos, Thessaloniki, Greece

Aims: To record the prevalence and the type of supplement use among cyclists and to estimate the effect of caffeine, carbohydrates, energy drinks and meddiet score on 200m and 4km cycling time-trial performances in a Greek sample.

Methods: Fifty male cycling athletes aged 32±20 years participated in a randomized, double-blind study. The subjects were submitted to anthropometric measurements and body composition was assessed with bioelectrical impedance. All participants completed the meddiet Score questionnaire and a validated questionnaire about their ergogenic aids’ preference. The athletes performed two cycling trials (200m and 4km) and their records were taken down and were evaluated according to their consumption of caffeine, carbohydrates and energy drinks and their meddiet score. For the statistical analysis SPSS, v20 was used.

Results: Greek cyclists had a mean BMI value of 23.65±2.74 and a mean body fat percentage of 15.82±8.33. Endurance and speed performances were improved with caffeine consumption when compared to no consumption (7.42±3.92min vs 12.5±3.16min, p<0.001 and 20.75±15.69sec vs 34.07±16.25sec, p<0.05, respectively), as well as with energy drinks’ consumption (8.77±4.15min vs 13.25±2.47min, p<0.001 and 20.35±14.08sec vs 39.14±14.38sec, p<0.001, respectively). Carbohydrates’ intake improved performance in the endurance test (7.60±3.72min vs 12.86±2.92min, p<0.001), but did not have a positive influence in the speed test (25.73±18.68sec vs 33.08±15.95sec, p>0.05).

Conclusions: Ergogenic aids had a positive effect on the athletic performance in terms of speed and endurance in cyclists. 

[1] Abian P, Del Coso J, Salinero JJ, Gallo-Salazar C, Areces F, Ruiz-Vicente D, Lara B, Soriano L, Muñoz V, Abian-Vicen J. The ingestion of a caffeinated energy drink improves jump performance and activity patterns in elite badminton players. JSports Sci. 2015; 33: 1042–1050.

[2] Anastasiou CA, Kavouras SA, Koutsari C, Georgakakis C, Skenderi K, Beer M, Sidossis LS. Effect of maltose-containing sports drinks on exercise performance. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2004; 14: 609–625.

[3] Arrese AL, Ostáriz ES. Skinfold thicknesses associated with distance running performance in highly trained runners. J Sports Sci. 2006; 24: 69–76.

[4] Barrero A, Erola P, Bescós R. Energy balance of triathletes during an ultra-endurance event. Nutrients. 2014; 7(1): 209-222.

[5] Beattie K, Carson BP, Lyons M, Kenny IC. The Effect of Maximal- & ExplosiveStrength Training on Performance Indicators in Cyclists. Int J Sports Physiol Perform.2016; 1–25.

[6] Beaumont R, Cordery P, Funnell M, Mears S, James L, Watson P. Chronic ingestion of a low dose of caffeine induces tolerance to the performance benefits of caffeine. J Sports Sci. 2016; 1–8.

[7] Black CD, Waddell DE, Gonglach AR. Caffeine’s Ergogenic Effects on Cycling: Neuromuscular and Perceptual Factors. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2015; 47: 1145–1158.

[8] Bortolotti H, Altimari LR, Vitor-Costa M, Cyrino ES. Performance during a 20-km cycling time-trial after caffeine ingestion. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2014; 11: 45.

[9] Braun H, Koehler K, Geyer H, Kleinert J, Mester J, Schänzer W. Dietary supplement use among elite young German athletes. Int J Sport Nutr Exer Metab. 2009; 19(1): 97-109.

[10] Broad EM, Maughan RJ, Galloway SDR. Effects of four weeks L-carnitine L-tartrate ingestion on substrate utilization during prolonged exercise. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2005; 15: 665–679.

[11] Brooks JH, Wyld K, Chrismas BC. Caffeine Supplementation as an Ergogenic Aid for Muscular Strength and Endurance: A Recommendation for Coaches and Athletes. J Athl Enhanc. 2016.

[12] Brunngard H. Physical activity and modulation of systemic low-level inflammation. J Leukoc Biol 2005; 78(4): 819-835.

[13] Burke LM, Hawley JA, Wong SH, Jeukendrup AE. Carbohydrates for training and competition. J Sports Sci. 2011; 29(Suppl 1): S17-S27.

[14] Burke LM, Millet G, Tarnopolsky MA. International Association of Athletics Federations, Nutrition for distance events. J Sports Sci. 2007; 25(Suppl 1): S29-38.

[15] Calfee R, Fadale P. Popular Ergogenic Drugs and Supplements in Young Athletes. Pediatrics. 2006; 117: 577–589.

[16] Chlíbková D, Knechtle B, Rosemann T, Tomášková I, Chadim V, Shortall M. Nutrition habits in 24-hour mountain bike racers. Springer Plus. 2014; 3: 715.

[17] Clauson KA, Shields KM, mcqueen CE, Persad N. Safety issues associated with commercially available energy drinks. J Am Pharm Assoc. 2008; 48: 55-67

[18] Close GL, Hamilton DL, Philp A, Burke LM, Morton JP. New strategies in sport nutrition to increase exercise performance. Free Radic Biol Med. 2016; 98: 144–158.

[19] Colombani PC, Mannhart C, Wenk C, Frey WO. Nutritional intake during a 244 km multisport ultraendurance race. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition. 2002; 1(3): 124-126.

[20] Correia-Oliveira CR, Bertuzzi R, Dal’Molin Kiss MAP, Lima-Silva A.E. Strategies of dietary carbohydrate manipulation and their effects on performance in cycling time trials. Sports Med Auckl NZ. 2013; 43: 707–719.

[21] Dascombe BJ, Karunaratna M, Cartoon J, Fergie B, Goodman C. Nutritional supplementation habits and perceptions of elite athletes within a state-based sporting institute. J Sci Med Sport. 2010; 13(2): 274–280.

[22] Diehl K, Thiel A, Zipfel S, Mayer J, Schnell A, Schneider S. Elite Adolescent Athletes’ Use of Dietary Supplements: Characteristics, Opinions, and Sources of Supply and Information. Int J Sport Nutr Exer Metab. 2012; 22: 165 -174.

[23] Erdman KA, Fung TS, Doyle-Baker PK, Verhoef MJ, Reimer RA. Dietary supplementation of high-performance Canadian athletes by age and gender. Clin J Sport Med. 2007; 17(6): 458-464.

[24] Eudy AE, Gordon LL, Hockaday BC, Lee DA, Lee V, Luu D, Martinez CA, Ambrose PJ. Efficacy and safety of ingredients found in preworkout supplements. Am J HealthSyst Pharm. 2013; 70: 577–588.

[25] Foddy B, Savulescu J. Ethics of performance enhancement in sport: drugs and gene doping. Principles of Health Care Ethics, Second Edition. 2007; 511-519.

[26] Ganio MS, Klau JF, Casa DJ, Armstrong LE, Maresh CM. Effect of caffeine on sportspecific endurance performance: a systematic review. J Strength Cond Res. 2009;23: 315–324.

[27] Geesmann B, Mester J, Koehler K. Energy balance, macronutrient intake, and hydration status during a 1,230 km ultra-endurance bike marathon. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2014; 24: 497–506.

[28] Geyer H, Parr MK, Koehler K, Mareck U, Sch