The Effects of Medium-Chain Triacylglycerols and Carbohydrates on Exercise Performance
Location
CSU Ballroom
Start Date
9-4-2012 10:00 AM
End Date
9-4-2012 11:30 AM
Student's Major
Biological Sciences
Student's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Mentor's Name
Jill Reeves-Hamilton
Mentor's Department
Family Consumer Science
Mentor's College
Allied Health and Nursing
Second Mentor's Name
Marilyn Hart
Second Mentor's Department
Biological Sciences
Second Mentor's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Description
Several studies have examined whether medium-chain triacylglycerols (MCT) are beneficial for increasing exercise time to exhaustion. The following, a systemic review, summarizes the research conducted and conclusions of nine of those studies, evaluating exercise performance (endurance, speed), rate of perceived exertion (RPE), respiratory exchange ratios (RER), blood lactate and glucose concentration. Some evidence suggests that consuming MCT prior to or during exercise can contribute as much as 7-13% of total energy expenditure during exercise. The PubMed search engine was used where studies that were reviewed included clinical trials, each identified as involving human subjects, using the keywords “medium chain triglycerides and exercise performance”. The articles reviewed included crossover, double or single blind, randomized controlled trials. Three out of eight studies found that MCT increases cycling time to exhaustion, and another study concluded that CHO ingestion enhanced cycling time trial performance. One study that did not show improved time to exhaustion found that the prescribed exercise was too intense for MCT to be effective. Four of the studies determined that MCT ingestion did not contribute to the cycling performance yet RPE and RER were reduced. However, in all four of these studies the participants reported gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, stomach-cramps, diarrhea and others. In one of the studies analyzed, MCT consumption after an overnight fast led to increased RPE and RER. Although the results of research were inconclusive and indicated that consumption of MCT combined with CHO increases exercise performance and endurance via fat oxidation. Nevertheless, additional studies are needed to determine the effects of MCT on various exercise types, intensities and GI discomforts.
The Effects of Medium-Chain Triacylglycerols and Carbohydrates on Exercise Performance
CSU Ballroom
Several studies have examined whether medium-chain triacylglycerols (MCT) are beneficial for increasing exercise time to exhaustion. The following, a systemic review, summarizes the research conducted and conclusions of nine of those studies, evaluating exercise performance (endurance, speed), rate of perceived exertion (RPE), respiratory exchange ratios (RER), blood lactate and glucose concentration. Some evidence suggests that consuming MCT prior to or during exercise can contribute as much as 7-13% of total energy expenditure during exercise. The PubMed search engine was used where studies that were reviewed included clinical trials, each identified as involving human subjects, using the keywords “medium chain triglycerides and exercise performance”. The articles reviewed included crossover, double or single blind, randomized controlled trials. Three out of eight studies found that MCT increases cycling time to exhaustion, and another study concluded that CHO ingestion enhanced cycling time trial performance. One study that did not show improved time to exhaustion found that the prescribed exercise was too intense for MCT to be effective. Four of the studies determined that MCT ingestion did not contribute to the cycling performance yet RPE and RER were reduced. However, in all four of these studies the participants reported gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, stomach-cramps, diarrhea and others. In one of the studies analyzed, MCT consumption after an overnight fast led to increased RPE and RER. Although the results of research were inconclusive and indicated that consumption of MCT combined with CHO increases exercise performance and endurance via fat oxidation. Nevertheless, additional studies are needed to determine the effects of MCT on various exercise types, intensities and GI discomforts.
Recommended Citation
Tanvir, Sarah. "The Effects of Medium-Chain Triacylglycerols and Carbohydrates on Exercise Performance." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 9, 2012.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2012/poster-session-A/22
