Physiological and performance effects of carbohydrate gels consumed prior to the extra-time period of prolonged simulated soccer match-play

Objectives - The physiological and performance effects of carbohydrate-electrolyte gels consumed before the 30min extra-time period of prolonged soccer-specific exercise were investigated. Design - Randomised, double-blind, crossover. Methods - Eight English Premier League academy soccer players performed 120min of soccer-specific exercise on two occasions while consuming fluid-electrolyte beverages before exercise, at half-time and 90min. Carbohydrate-electrolyte (0.7±0.1gkg(-1) BM) or energy-free placebo gels were consumed ∼5min before extra-time. Blood samples were taken before exercise, at half-time and every 15min during exercise. Physical (15-m and 30-m sprint speed, 30-m sprint maintenance and countermovement jump height) and technical (soccer dribbling) performance was assessed throughout each trial. Results - Carbohydrate-electrolyte gels improved dribbling precision (+29±20%) and raised blood glucose concentrations by 0.7±0.8mmoll(-1) during extra-time (both p3% during half-time (all p