Carbohydrate Ingestion During Exercise Found to Reduce Perceived Exertion

Researchers found that carbohydrate ingestion during exercise lowers perceived exertion during prolonged intermittent exercise and recovery.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of carbohydrate supplementation on ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) during prolonged intermittent exercise and recovery. Twelve male subjects cycled for 2.0 h at 64% intensity with 3-min rest intervals interspersed every 10 min with placebo (P) or carbohydrate (C) beverages. RPE was assessed during the last minute of each 10-min exercise interval and then every 30 s during the 3-min recovery period. The pattern of change in RPE over time was significantly different between C and P ingestion, with a reduced RPE response found for both overall body (O) and legs (L). A significant main effect was found for recovery RPE-O between C and P ingestion, with reduced RPE responses found in the later part of the 2-h run.

This research indicates that carbohydrate supplementation reduces perceived exertion during prolonged intermittent exercise and recovery.

Utter A, Kang J, Nieman D, Dumke C, McAnulty S, McAnulty L. (2007). Carbohydrate attenuates perceived exertion during intermittent exercise and recovery. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 39(5): 880-885.