Extra time fatigue: Can high-rate carbohydrate ingestion preserve sprint speed?

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This randomised controlled trial investigates how different carbohydrate intake rates affect player performance during an extended 120-minute soccer match simulation.

• Researchers compared a placebo against moderate and high doses of carbohydrates to see if they could mitigate the physical fatigue and skill decline typical of extra-time scenarios.
• The results indicated that while sprint speeds decreased over time due to exhaustion, supplemental fueling did not significantly improve physical or cognitive outcomes when compared to the control group.
• Interestingly, the high-carbohydrate intervention, which included a mix of maltodextrin and fructose, showed some potential benefits for passing accuracy and ball handling.
• Ultimately, the study suggests that maintaining optimal nutrition in the days leading up to a match is more critical for performance than in-game consumption.
• Nevertheless, higher intake rates were found to be well-tolerated by the athletes without causing gastrointestinal distress.

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​The effect of different carbohydrate ingestion rates on physical, skill and cognitive performance during extended simulated soccer: a randomized controlled trial