Improved endurance capacity following chocolate milk consumption compared with 2 commercially available sport drinks

Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2009 Feb;34(1):78-82. doi: 10.1139/H08-137.

Abstract

This study examined the effects of 3 recovery drinks on endurance performance following glycogen-depleting exercise. Nine trained male cyclists performed 3 experimental trials, in a randomized counter-balanced order, consisting of a glycogen-depleting trial, a 4-h recovery period, and a cycle to exhaustion at 70% power at maximal oxygen uptake. At 0 and 2 h into the recovery period, participants consumed chocolate milk (CM), a carbohydrate replacement drink (CR), or a fluid replacement drink (FR). Participants cycled 51% and 43% longer after ingesting CM (32 +/- 11 min) than after ingesting CR (21 +/- 8 min) or FR (23 +/- 8 min). CM is an effective recovery aid after prolonged endurance exercise for subsequent exercise at low-moderate intensities.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Beverages*
  • Body Weight
  • Cacao*
  • Dietary Carbohydrates / administration & dosage*
  • Energy Intake
  • Glycogen / metabolism
  • Heart Rate / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Isotonic Solutions / administration & dosage*
  • Lactic Acid / blood
  • Male
  • Milk*
  • Muscle Contraction / drug effects*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / drug effects*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism
  • Oxygen Consumption / drug effects
  • Physical Endurance / drug effects*
  • Recovery of Function
  • Time Factors
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Dietary Carbohydrates
  • Isotonic Solutions
  • Lactic Acid
  • Glycogen