Efficacy of Nutritional Ergogenic Aids in Hot Environments
Abstract
Many athletes seeking a competitive edge rely on nutritional ergogenic aids to improve performance. Carbohydrate (CHO) and caffeine (CAF) supplementation appear efficacious at enhancing endurance exercise performance when studied under ideal circumstances, but the unique challenges imposed by environmental stressors such as heat may minimize or negate these effects. Similar to findings in temperate or cool environments, CHO intake during endurance exercise in hot environments produces a consistent performance benefit. But in contrast to the benefits observed in moderate environments. CAF affords no apparent performance advantage in the heat. These findings raise interesting questions about nutritional ergogenic mechanisms of action and offer direction for future research.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA523505
Entities
People
- Brett R Ely
- Samuel N. Cheuvront
Organizations
- United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine