Today we review a meta-analysis examining the effect of consuming carbohydrates during prolonged endurance exercise on the use of skeletal muscle glycogen. The research synthesized data from 31 crossover studies involving both running and cycling, concluding that carbohydrate ingestion leads to a small but statistically significant reduction in net muscle glycogen utilisation, a process known as glycogen sparing. Although no consistent moderating factors like carbohydrate type or ingestion…

This academic review titled “Nutrition Strategies to Promote Sleep in Elite Athletes: A Scoping Review,” authored by Gavin Rackard and colleagues. This scoping review systematically assesses existing literature to map and evaluate the efficacy of different nutritional interventions—such as kiwifruit, tart cherry juice, and various proteins—on sleep quality and duration in elite athletes. The research outlines the unique sleep challenges faced by this population and uses methodological tools,…

This systematic review and meta-analysis examines how an acute period of vigorous physical activity impacts gastrointestinal health in healthy populations. Researchers analysed data from 34 studies to determine the consequences of a single, acute session of exercise on markers of gut integrity. The results confirmed that an intense bout of activity causes a significant increase in both gut damage and subsequent gut permeability across participants. This detrimental impact on the gut lining…

Welcome to your daily hub Today we investigate a research article investigating the link between habitual fluid intake, hydration status, and the body’s cortisol reactivity to acute psychological stress, specifically using the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). The study compared individuals with habitually low fluid intake (LOW) to those with high fluid intake (HIGH), finding that LOW fluid intake and corresponding suboptimal hydration were associated with a significantly greater magnitude of…

Welcome to your daily hub Today we discuss a scientific study evaluating the effects of different carbohydrate (CHO) ingestion rates on elite male marathon runners during simulated running. The study compared the metabolic effects of consuming 60, 90, and 120 grams of CHO per hour, using stable isotope tracers to measure exogenous CHO oxidation and whole-body substrate metabolism. Researchers found that the highest rate of 120 g·h⁻¹ resulted in significantly greater whole-body and exogenous…

Welcome to your daily hub Today we discuss a paper called “Acute Ketone Monoester Supplementation Impairs 20-min Time-Trial Performance in Trained Cyclists: A Randomized, Crossover Trial.” This original research investigates the effect of ingesting a ketone monoester (KE) supplement on the endurance performance of trained cyclists, comparing it against a placebo. The study, conducted using a randomised, crossover, and triple-blinded design, found that acute KE ingestion led to a statistically…

Welcome to your daily hub The text is a review article that examines dietary strategies to manage gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS) in athletes. It primarily critiques the popular, yet often unsubstantiated, use of the gluten-free diet (GFD) among athletes without coeliac disease, noting that research indicates no beneficial effect on performance or gastrointestinal health from gluten avoidance alone. Instead, the author argues that any reported symptom improvement from a GFD is likely due to…

Welcome to your daily hub The provided source is a research article investigating how heat stress affects exogenous carbohydrate oxidation during prolonged running, even when euhydration is maintained. Ten trained runners completed two 100-minute trials—one in a temperate environment (19°C) and one in a hot environment (34°C)—while consuming a glucose solution and replacing most of their fluid losses. The key findings indicate that running in the heat reduced both average and peak exogenous…