EFFECTS OF CARBOHYDRATE SUPPLEMENTATION DURING INTENSE TRAINING ON DIETARY PATTERNS, PSYCHOLOGICAL STATUS, AND PERFORMANCE

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of carbohydrate supplementation during intense training on dietary patterns, psycholo gical status, and markers of anaerobic and aerobic performance. Seven members of the U.S. National Field Hockey Team were matched to 7 team counterparts (N = 14). One group was blindly administered a carbohydra te drink containing 1 g . kg(-1) of carbohydrate four times daily, whi le the remaining group blindly ingested a flavored placebo during 7 da ys of intense training. Subjects underwent pre- and posttraining aerob ic and anaerobic assessments, recorded daily diet intake, and were adm inistered the Profile of Mood States (POMS) psychological inventory pr ior to and following each practice. Results revealed that the carbohyd rate-supplemented group had a greater (p <.05) total energy intake, ca rbohydrate intake, and change (pre vs. post) in time to maximal exhaus tion following training while reporting less postpractice psychologica l fatigue. However, no significant differences were observed in remain ing psychological, physiological, or performance-related variables.