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Post exercise drinks

April 22, 2005 01:05 PM

Here is a bit of evidence on the value of high carbohydrate drinks (gainer drinks). I have already noted that these drinks are unnecessary and undesirable. Here is an abstract of a little experiment from the journal Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise that finds that high CHO drinks alter mood and focus.

The effects they note in the study are consistent with a form of post high CHO ingestion "bonking." This is a fast rise in blood glucose after the drink followed by a burst of insulin which causes a sharp decline in blood glucose. Hence the altered mood and brain function. A brain deprived of glucose by the strong insulin response to a high glycemic dose is not a brain that functions well. The irony is that the period after a work out is a time that your blood pressure drops and you feel good. A big dose of high glycemic starch and or sugar destroys this and leaves you feeling worse. Refer to my earlier posts on post-work out drinks for more on this.

POST-EXERCISE CHO DRINKS MIGHT HAVE ADVERSE PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS

Bloomer, R. J., Baldewicz, I. I., Keller, H. A., Vukovich, M. D., & Sforzo, G. A. (2000). Alterations in mood following acute post-exercise feeding with variance in macronutrient mix. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 32(5), Supplement abstract 121.

The role of post-exercise feeding patterns on mood state were investigated in resistance-trained men (N = 10). Two to four hours following a standardized exercise routine, Ss were given: whole food (35 g protein, 75 g CHO, 7 g fat), a supplemental drink, an isocaloric CHO beverage, or a placebo. The POMS was used to measure mood states.

Results suggested that excessive liquid CHO consumption following resistance exercise night cause acute feelings of fatigue, irritability, and mental dullness.

Implication. Following resistance exercise, the consumption of a balanced mixed meal might be psychologically more beneficial than a CHO drink.

· Evolutionary Fitness

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Posted by: Flower Online [TypeKey Profile Page] at September 12, 2006 2:52 AM

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