Date Approved

2018

Degree Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department or School

Health Promotion and Human Performance

Committee Member

Rebecca W. Moore, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Anthony Moreno, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Olivia Ford, Ph.D.

Abstract

Sports enhancement products go through trends as new products are introduced and as old products are redesigned and re-introduced to the market. Gatorade© is a sports beverage that is often used by youth during sports. However, the effects of sports beverages on youth performance are unknown. One aim of this study was to determine if youth experience the same performance benefit from carbohydrate beverages as adults. A second aim of this study was to determine differences in metabolic measures (VO2, VE, & RER) between the carbohydrate and water performance trials in youth and adults. A third aim was to examine changes in metabolic measures (VO2, VE, & RER) throughout a 60-minute cycle ride in youth. It was hypothesized that youth, like adults, would experience a performance benefit from carbohydrate beverages. It was also hypothesized that there would be a difference in metabolic measures (VO2, VE, & RER) between the carbohydrate beverage and water trials in youth and adults. The third hypothesis was that there would be a difference in metabolic measures (VO2, VE, & RER) for youth throughout a 60-minute cycle ride. Nineteen subjects (8 youth aged 7-17 and 11 adults aged 18-30) were recruited to come to the Applied Exercise Physiology Laboratory on three separate occasions. During the participant’s first visit to the laboratory, they completed a VO2peak test on a cycle ergometer (McMaster protocol). The second and third visits to the laboratory were identical, consisting of two 30-minute cycle rides, and one two-mile performance trial on a cycle ergometer. Metabolic measures (VO2, VE, & RER), heart rate, blood pressure, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) will all be measured during testing. Drink order was single-blind, randomized, and counterbalanced. Paired sample t-tests were used to determine differences in water and carbohydrate performance time trials in youth and adults. No statistical significance was found for adults or youth. Paired sample t-tests were used to determine differences in metabolic performance data. No statistical significance was found for adults or youth. Paired sample t tests were used to determine differences in metabolic data for the 60-minute ride for youth. RER was significant between Time Point 1 (time during the trial) and Time Point 4 (time during the trial) for the water and carbohydrate trials. VO2 was significant for the carbohydrate trial from Time Point 1 to Time Point 4. Differences were considered significant at an alpha level of p < .05. Limitations of the study included the adults using the same protocol as youth, small sample size, and not being able to disguise the taste between water and the carbohydrate beverage. It is imperative to do continued research specifically with youth and carbohydrate beverage consumption during exercise to get a deeper understanding of the benefits or lack thereof.

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