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.

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Apr 9th, 10:00 AM Apr 9th, 11:30 AM

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