THE INFLUENCE OF FRUCTOSE FEEDING ON PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE

Athletic competition requires great energy expenditure and the ability to maintain performance depends on an adequate supply of metabolic fu els, which has led to the use of dietary supplements. Much of the data concerning fructose supplementation is contradictory in nature, but i t shows that fructose feeding before or during exercise can enhance pe rformance under certain conditions. Preexercise nutrition seems to be the most important condition to be met. It has been theorized that pre feeding elevates liver glycogen and spares muscle glycogen, which prol ongs activity. There is also good evidence to indicate that the additi on of fructose to the diet during ultraendurance events can improve pe rformance by 126%. The gastrointestinal discomfort created by large am ounts of fructose can hinder performance and has limited research with this supplement. Therefore, even though positive effects have been de monstrated, more research is needed to determine the role that fructos e can play in enhancing athletic performance.