PUBLIC TENDER OF THE SPORTS FOUNDATION FOR THE CO-FINANCING OF SPORTS PROGRAMS, DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES IN SPORT, SPORTS EVENTS AND PROMOTION OF SPORT, AND SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY IN SPORT IN 2021

Duration of the project:

Lead partner:

University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences

Participating organizations:

University of Birmingham
Sailing Association of Slovenia
Triathlon Association of Slovenia
Cycling Association of Slovenia
Ski Association of Slovenia

Principal investigator / researcher:

Assist. Prof. Tim Podlogar (SICRIS)

Team at UP FHS:

Assoc. Prof. Nina Mohorko (SICRIS, ResearchGate)
Assist. Aleš Suhadolnik (SICRIS)

Abstract:

Carbohydrates play a very important role in the nutrition of endurance athletes. Currently it is recommended that elite athletes ingest up to 90 grams of carbohydrates per hour in 2:1 ratio between glucose and fructose as it is currently believed that humans cannot absorb and utilise more than this. However, these guidelines are based on studies conducted on amateur level athletes and thus it is questionable whether elite athletes whose energy expenditure is much greater could absorb and utilise more carbohydrates which could in turn improve their performance. The aim of this research project is to utilise the methodology of stable isotopes of carbon and compare oxidation rates of ingested carbohydrates at the rates of 90 and 120 grams per hour and determine if a higher dose results in higher oxidation rates of ingested carbohydrates.

The project is cofinanced by the Slovenian Sports Foundation.