Influence of carbohydrate on cytokine and phagocytic responses to 2 h of rowing

Purpose: This study examined the influence of carbohydrate (C) versus place bo (P) beverage ingestion on the phagocytic and cytokine responses to norma l rowing training by 15 elite female rowers. Methods: Athletes received C o r P before, during and after, two, 2-h bouts of rowing performed on consecu tive days. Blood was collected before and 5-10 min and 1.5 h after rowing. Metabolic measures indicated that training was performed at moderate intens ities, with some high-intensity intervals interspersed throughout the sessi ons. Results: Concentrations of blood neutrophils and monocytes, phagocytic activity, and plasma IL-1ra were significantly lower postexercise after C versus P ingestion. No differences were observed for oxidative burst activi ty, IL-6, IL-8, or TNF alpha. Glucose was significantly higher after 2 h of rowing with C ingestion; however, cortisol, growth hormone, epinephrine, n orepinephrine, and CRP were not affected by carbohydrate. Conclusions: Thes e data indicate that carbohydrate compared with placebo ingestion attenuate d the moderate rise in blood neutrophils, monocytes, phagocytosis, and plas ma IL-1ra concentrations that followed 2-h bouts of training in elite femal e rowers. No changes in blood hormone concentrations were found.