Effect of Ingestion of Coconut Sport Gel on Running Performance Under Hot Condition Among Elite Runners

Chin, Kien Nam (2019) Effect of Ingestion of Coconut Sport Gel on Running Performance Under Hot Condition Among Elite Runners. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University College.

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of ingestion of coconut sport gel (1.2g.kg-1BW of cabohydrate) on running performance in hot condition among elite runners. A total of 10 elite runners were recruited (age: 22.00 ± 2.49 years old; weight: 56.15 ± 4.96kg; height: 165.29 ± 5.08cm; percentage of body fat: 14.99 ± 2.22%; running experience: 5.00 ± 2.21 years; weekly training mileage: 66.5 ± 8.17 km; best performance time for 10km: 42.42 ± 4.28 minutes; VO2max: 64.77 ± 7.92 ml.kg.min-1)in this study. Subjects were required to complete 1 preliminary testing and 2 experimental trials which included CSG (1.2g.kg-1) and PLA (1.2g.,-1) . For the experimental trials, subjects required to undertake 3 phases: (i) Dehydration phase ( 36°C 5.5km/h induces dehydration); (ii)rehydration phase (2 hours) and (iii) performance testing phase which consisted of 30 minutes of run at 65% of VO₂ max followed by 5km time trial run). Each trial was separated for 14 days apart as wash out period. The data were analysed by using Two-Way Anova (Repeated measure) and Paired Sample T-test. Results showed that 5km time trial performance in the CSG trial was significantly faster than the PLA trial (CSG: 21.08 ± 1.76 min; PLA: 23.04 ± 1.34 min; p=0.004), associated with a lower blood lactate level (CSG: 6.27 ± 0.50; PLA: 6.95 ± 0.39;P=0.000), higher blood glucose level (CSG: 6.24 ± 0.20; PLA: 5.69 ± 0.25; p= 0.000). For the rate of rehydration, body weight and in both trials were similar (p= 0.547). There is a significance different for the plasma volume between trials performance (CSG: 53.35 ± 1.73mmol.L-1; PLA: 54.40 ± 0.937mmol.L-1; P= 0.011). Add on top of that, there is a significance different for the USG between the trials (CSG trial: 1.025 ± 0.0045; PLA trial: 1.03 ± 0.0048; p< 0.05). In conclusion the ingestion of CSG can improve the running performance and can improve the rate of rehydration.