Abstract Template
Endurance Research Conference, Kent 2015
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Title (maximum 25 words)
Carbohydrate supplementation does not blunt the prolonged-exercise induced reduction of in vivo
immunity.
Cycling;
Triathlon and ultra-endurance;
Theme (please tick at least one; numerous option may be ticked)
Running; Nutrition;
Physiology
Pacing;
Psychology; Other
Authors and affiliations
Glen DAVISON1, Corinna KEHAYA1, Bethany C. DIMENT2, and Neil P. WALSH2
1 Endurance
Research Group, School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Kent, Chatham Maritime,
ME4 4AG, UK
2 Extremes Research Group, College of Health and Behavioural Sciences, Bangor University, UK
G.Davison@kent.ac.uk
Abstract (maximum 400 words)
INTRODUCTION: Carbohydrate (CHO) supplementation during prolonged exercise is widely acknowledged to
blunt in vitro immunoendocrine responses but no study has investigated clinically relevant in vivo immunity.
Challenge-type measures are considered useful and may be more relevant in immunonutrition studies as an in
vivo measure of the whole integrated immune response. Prolonged exercise (2 h at 60% VO 2max) has been
shown to significantly reduce in vivo immune induction using the novel antigen diphenylcyclopropenone, DPCP
(Harper Smith et al., 2011, Brain Behav Immun. 25:1136-1142; Diment et al., 2014, Med Sci Sports Exerc, in
press) but the influence of CHO remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of
acute CHO supplementation before, during and after prolonged exercise on in vivo immune induction using
experimental contact hypersensitivity with the novel antigen DPCP.
METHODS: In a double-blind design, 32 subjects were randomly assigned to 120 minutes of treadmill exercise
at 60% VO2max with either carbohydrate (Ex-CHO) or placebo (Ex-PLA) supplementation. For the purpose of
comparison with a resting non-exercise condition, responses were also compared to control (CON) subjects
(seated rest, n = 16) from a previous study (Diment et al., 2014). Standardised diets (for the day pre-trial) and
breakfasts (3.5 h pre-trial) were provided. For exercising subjects drinks were 5 mL·kg-1 bolus 20 min before
and immediately after exercise and 2 mL·kg-1 every 15 min during exercise (10% CHO w/v). CON subjects
received a quantity of water proportional to their daily requirement. Subjects received a primary DPCP
exposure (sensitisation) 20 min after trial completion and exactly 28 d later the strength of immune reactivity
was quantified by magnitude of the cutaneous response to a low dose-series DPCP challenge. Stress
hormones and leukocyte trafficking were also monitored.
RESULTS: CHO supplementation blunted the cortisol and leukocyte trafficking responses but there was no
difference (P > 0.05) between Ex-CHO and Ex-PLA in the in vivo immune responses (skin-fold thickness: -46%
compared to normal CON responses).
CONCLUSION: Acute CHO ingestion before, during and after exercise does not blunt the decrease of in vivo
immunity observed following prolonged exercise in the fed state (exercise commencing 3.5 h after breakfast).
The effects with more stressful (or fasted) exercise remain to be determined. However, there appears to be no
benefit of acute CHO ingestion under the conditions of the present study, which have practical relevance to
what many athletes do in training or competition.
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