Effect of medium-chain triacylglycerol and carbohydrate ingestion during exercise on substrate utilization and subsequent cycling performance
Open accessAbstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of medium-chain triacylglycerol (MCT) ingestion during exercise on subsequent time-trial cycling performance. Seven well-trained cyclists performed four exercise trials consisting of 2 h at 60% of maximal oxygen uptake followed by a simulated time trial (ie, completion of a preset amount of work as fast as possible) of approximately 15 min duration. During the trials, subjects ingested 1) a 10% carbohydrate solution (CHO; 170 +/- 6 g glucose), 2) a 10% carbohydrate electrolyte with 5% MCT solution (CHO + MCT; 85 +/- 3 g MCT), 3) a 5% MCT solution, or 4) artificially colored and flavored water (placebo). Neither CHO nor CHO + MCT ingestion had any effect on performance compared with placebo ingestion, whereas ingestion of MCT had a negative effect on performance. Average work rates during the time trial were 314 +/- 19, 314 +/- 13, and 312 +/- 18 with CHO, CHO + MCT, and placebo, respectively, and was 17-18% lower in the MCT trial (263 +/- 22 W). In addition, compared with placebo ingestion, MCT ingestion had no effect on total rates of fat or carbohydrate oxidation, nor did it affect exogenous or endogenous carbohydrate utilization. The negative effect of MCT ingestion was associated with increased gastrointestinal complaints (ie, intestinal cramping). These data suggest that large amounts of MCTs (85 g) ingested during prolonged submaximal exercise may provoke gastrointestinal problems leading to decreased exercise performance.
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
MCT administration resulted in ergolytic outcomes on sprint performance in trained cyclists and cycling time trial performance, with increased gastrointestinal complaints.
“Goedecke et al. [674] and Jeukendrup et al. [667] both reported ergolytic outcomes of MCT administration on sprint performance in trained cyclists and cycling time trial performance, respectively, while the incidence of gastrointestinal complaints increased in both studies.”
From ISSN exercise & sports nutrition review update: research & recommendations (2018) · cites this paper as [667]
Studies are mixed as to whether MCT's are ergogenic and can serve as an effective source of fat during exercise.
“Studies are mixed as to whether MCT’s are ergogenic and can serve as an effective source of fat during exercise [667–671].”
From ISSN exercise & sports nutrition review update: research & recommendations (2018) · cites this paper as [667]
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Cites
(1974) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-091304-6.x5001-0 · Cited by 6,786 · see citing works
Table of nonprotein respiratory quotient: an update.
Péronnet, F., & Massicotte, D. (1991) · PubMed · Cited by 1,177 · see citing works
Medium-chain triglycerides: an update
Bach, A., & Babayan, V. (1982) · The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition · doi:10.1093/ajcn/36.5.950 · Cited by 1,151 · see citing works
A new validated endurance performance test
Jeukendrup, A. E., Saris, W. H. M., Brouns, F. J. P. H., & Kester, A. D. M. (1996) · Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · doi:10.1097/00005768-199602000-00017 · Cited by 560 · see citing works
Self-citationEffects of elevated plasma FFA and insulin on muscle glycogen usage during exercise
Costill, D. L., Coyle, E., Dalsky, G., Evans, W., Fink, W., & Hoopes, D. (1977) · Journal of Applied Physiology · doi:10.1152/jappl.1977.43.4.695 · Cited by 471 · see citing works
Reversal of fatigue during prolonged exercise by carbohydrate infusion or ingestion
Coggan, A. R., & Coyle, E. F. (1987) · Journal of Applied Physiology · doi:10.1152/jappl.1987.63.6.2388 · Cited by 392 · see citing works
Carbohydrate-Electrolyte Feedings Improve 1 h Time Trial Cycling Performance
Jeukendrup, A., Brouns, F., Wagenmakers, A., & Saris, W. (1997) · International Journal of Sports Medicine · doi:10.1055/s-2007-972607 · Cited by 271 · see citing works
Self-citationRennie, M. J., Winder, W. W., & Holloszy, J. O. (1976) · Biochemical Journal · doi:10.1042/bj1560647 · Cited by 248 · see citing works
Regulation of fat-carbohydrate interaction in skeletal muscle during intense aerobic cycling
Dyck, D. J., Putman, C. T., Heigenhauser, G. J. F., Hultman, E., & Spriet, L. L. (1993) · American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism · doi:10.1152/ajpendo.1993.265.6.e852 · Cited by 142 · see citing works
Oxidation rates of orally ingested carbohydrates during prolonged exercise in men
Wagenmakers, A. J. M., Brouns, F. J. P. H., Saris, W. H. M., & Halliday, D. (1993) · Journal of Applied Physiology · doi:10.1152/jappl.1993.75.6.2774 · Cited by 137 · see citing works
Self-citationEffectiveness of Carbohydrate Feeding in Delaying Fatigue during Prolonged Exercise
Coyle, E. F., & Coggan, A. R. (1984) · Sports Medicine · doi:10.2165/00007256-198401060-00004 · Cited by 117 · see citing works
Carbohydrate feeding and glycogen synthesis during exercise in man
Kuipers, H., KEIZER, H. A., Brouns, F. J. P. H., & Saris, W. H. M. (1987) · Pflügers Archiv - European Journal of Physiology · doi:10.1007/bf00581327 · Cited by 116 · see citing works
Self-citationMetges, C. C., & Wolfram, G. (1991) · Journal of Nutrition · doi:10.1093/jn/121.1.31 · Cited by 109 · see citing works
Oxidation of Carbohydrate Ingested During Prolonged Endurance Exercise
Hawley, J. A., Dennis, S. C., & Noakes, T. D. (1992) · Sports Medicine · doi:10.2165/00007256-199214010-00003 · Cited by 103 · see citing works
Effect of fat emulsion infusion and fat feeding on muscle glycogen utilization during cycle exercise
Vukovich, M. D., COSTILL, D. L., Hickey, M. S., Trappe, S. W., Cole, K. J., & Fink, W. J. (1993) · Journal of Applied Physiology · doi:10.1152/jappl.1993.75.4.1513 · Cited by 95 · see citing works
Gastric Emptying With Repeated Drinking During Running and Bicycling
Rehrer, N. J., Brouns, F. J. P. H., Beckers, E. J., ten Hoor, F., & Saris, W. H. M. (1990) · International Journal of Sports Medicine · doi:10.1055/s-2007-1024799 · Cited by 93 · see citing works
Self-citationJeukendrup, A. E., Saris, W. H. M., Schrauwen, P., Brouns, F. J. P. H., & Wagenmakers, A. J. M. (1995) · Journal of Applied Physiology · doi:10.1152/jappl.1995.79.3.756 · Cited by 87 · see citing works
Self-citationEffects of medium-chain triglyceride ingestion on fuel metabolism and cycling performance
Van Zyl, C. G., Lambert, E. V., Hawley, J. A., Noakes, T. D., & Dennis, S. C. (1996) · Journal of Applied Physiology · doi:10.1152/jappl.1996.80.6.2217 · Cited by 80 · see citing works
Effects of carbohydrate (CHO) and fat supplementation on CHO metabolism during prolonged exercise
Jeukendrup, A. E., Saris, W. H. M., Brouns, F. J. P. H., Halliday, D., & Wagenmakers, A. J. M. (1996) · Metabolism · doi:10.1016/s0026-0495(96)90169-9 · Cited by 60 · see citing works
Self-citationIvy, J. L., COSTILL, D. L., Fink, W., & Maglischo, E. W. (1980) · International Journal of Sports Medicine · doi:10.1055/s-2008-1034624 · Cited by 56 · see citing works
Wagenmakers, A. J. M., Rehrer, N. J., Brouns, F. J. P. H., Saris, W. H. M., & Halliday, D. (1993) · Journal of Applied Physiology · doi:10.1152/jappl.1993.74.5.2353 · Cited by 56 · see citing works
Self-citationMetabolic and hormonal responses to lipid and carbohydrate diets during exercise in man
Satabin, P., Portero, P., Defer, G. L., Bricout, J., & Guézennec, C.-Y. (1987) · Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · doi:10.1249/00005768-198706000-00006 · Cited by 55 · see citing works
Massicotte, D., Péronnet, F., Brisson, G. R., & Hillaire‐Marcel, C. (1992) · Journal of Applied Physiology · doi:10.1152/jappl.1992.73.4.1334 · Cited by 55 · see citing works
Jeukendrup, A. E., Saris, W. H., Van Diesen, R., Brouns, F., & Wagenmakers, A. J. (1996) · Journal of Applied Physiology · doi:10.1152/jappl.1996.80.3.949 · Cited by 47 · cited 4× · see citing works
“By adding MCTs to a carbohydrate solution, the oxidation rates of these carbohydrates will not be impaired (8), and the MCTs can serve as additional fuel for the working muscle (6, 7).”
BackgroundInfluentialSelf-citationGastric Emptying of Carbohydrate - Medium Chain Triglyceride Suspensions at Rest
Beckers, E. J., Jeukendrup, A. E., Brouns, F. J. P. H., Wagenmakers, A. J. M., & Saris, W. H. M. (1992) · International Journal of Sports Medicine · doi:10.1055/s-2007-1024569 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
Self-citationAuclair, E., Satabin, P., Servan, E., & Guezennec, C. Y. (1988) · European Journal of Applied Physiology · doi:10.1007/bf00691251 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Horowitz, J. F., Mora‐Rodríguez, R., & Coyle, E. F. (1995) · Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · doi:10.1249/00005768-199505001-01137 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Research works printed but not linked: 7
- Coggan AR, Coyle EF. Carbohydrate ingestion during prolonged exercise: effects on metabolism and performance. Med Sport Sci Rev 1991;16:1-40.
- Gutmann I, Wahlefeld AW. L-(+)-Lactate, determination with lac- tate dehydrogenase and NAD. In: Bergmeyer HU, ed. Methods in enzymatic analysis. 2nd ed. New York: Academic Press, 1974: 1464-8.
- Moore JJ, Marcus M, Sax SM. Kinetic assay of -hydroxybutyrate in plasma with COBAS BIO centrifugal analyzer. Clin Chem 1982;73:1334-9.
- Craig H. Isotopic standards for carbon and oxygen and correction factors. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 1957;12:133-49.
- Decombaz J, Arnaud MJ, Milon H, et al. Energy metabolism of medium chain triglycerides versus carbohydrate during exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol 1983;52:9-14.
- Hickson RC, Rennie MJ, Conlee RK, Winder WW, Holloszy JO. Effect of increased plasma fatty acids on glycogen utilization and endurance. J Appl Physiol 1977;43:829-33.
- Romijn JA, Coyle EF, Sidossis LS, et al. Regulation of endogenous fat and carbohydrate metabolism in relation to exercise intensity. Am J Physiol 1993;265:E380-91.
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Metabolic Flexibility in Health and Disease
Goodpaster, B. H., & Sparks, L. M. (2017) · Cell Metabolism · doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2017.04.015 · Cited by 995 · see citing works
ISSN exercise & sports nutrition review update: research & recommendations
Kerksick, C. M., Wilborn, C. D., Roberts, M. D., Smith-Ryan, A., Kleiner, S. M., Jäger, R., Collins, R., Cooke, M., Davis, J. N., Galvan, E., et al. (2018) · Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition · doi:10.1186/s12970-018-0242-y · Cited by 945 · see citing works
ISSN exercise & sport nutrition review: research & recommendations
Kreider, R. B., Wilborn, C. D., Taylor, L., Campbell, B., Almada, A. L., Collins, R., Cooke, M., Earnest, C. P., Greenwood, M., Kalman, D. S., et al. (2010) · Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition · doi:10.1186/1550-2783-7-7 · Cited by 428 · see citing works
Lipid metabolism during endurance exercise
Horowitz, J. F., & Klein, S. (2000) · The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition · doi:10.1093/ajcn/72.2.558s · Cited by 397 · see citing works
Re-Examining High-Fat Diets for Sports Performance: Did We Call the ‘Nail in the Coffin’ Too Soon?
Burke, L. M. (2015) · Sports Medicine · doi:10.1007/s40279-015-0393-9 · Cited by 201 · see citing works
Angus, D. J., Hargreaves, M., Dancey, J., & Febbraio, M. A. (2000) · Journal of Applied Physiology · doi:10.1152/jappl.2000.88.1.113 · Cited by 101 · see citing works
Fat supplementation, health, and endurance performance
Jeukendrup, A. E., & Aldred, S. (2004) · Nutrition · doi:10.1016/j.nut.2004.04.018 · Cited by 71 · see citing works
Self-citationNutritional implications for ultra-endurance walking and running events
Williamson, E. (2016) · Extreme Physiology & Medicine · doi:10.1186/s13728-016-0054-0 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
“[74] attempted to test an intake of 85 g and found that it did indeed decrease performance due to provocation of GIS.”
BackgroundFactors Influencing Substrate Oxidation During Submaximal Cycling: A Modelling Analysis
Rothschild, J. A., Kilding, A. E., Stewart, T., & Plews, D. J. (2022) · Sports Medicine · doi:10.1007/s40279-022-01727-7 · Cited by 46 · see citing works
Thorburn, M. S., Vistisen, B., Thorp, R. M., Rockell, M. J., Jeukendrup, A. E., Xu, X., & Rowlands, D. S. (2006) · Journal of Applied Physiology · doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00393.2006 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
Self-citationGoedecke, J. H., Clark, V. R., Noakes, T. D., & Lambert, E. V. (2005) · International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism · doi:10.1123/ijsnem.15.1.15 · Cited by 39 · see citing works
ISSN Exercise & Sport Nutrition Review: Research & Recommendations
Kreider, R. B., Almada, A. L., Antonio, J., Broeder, C., Earnest, C., Greenwood, M., Incledon, T., Kalman, D. S., Kleiner, S. M., Leutholtz, B., et al. (2004) · Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition · doi:10.1186/1550-2783-1-1-1 · Cited by 38 · see citing works
Carbohydrate supplementation: A critical review of recent innovations
Baur, D. A., & Saunders, M. J. (2021) · European Journal of Applied Physiology · doi:10.1007/s00421-020-04534-y · Cited by 22 · see citing works
- Authors
- Jeukendrup, A., Thielen, J., Wagenmakers, A., Brouns, F., & Saris, W.
- Affiliations
- Maastricht University (NL)
- ORCID
- Brouns, F
- Venue
- The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 1998-03
- Volume
- 67
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 397-404
- ISSN
- 0002-9165 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1851098424
- Cited by
- 105
- References
- 27
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 1.56
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Research Publications (Maastricht University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Diet and metabolism studies
- Keywords
- medium-chain triglycerides, carbohydrate intake, exercise performance, cycling performance, substrate utilization, fat oxidation, carbohydrate oxidation, gastrointestinal problems, endurance exercise, electrolyte solutions, time trial
- MeSH terms
- Bicycling, Blood Glucose, Calorimetry, Dietary Carbohydrates, Dietary Fats, Digestive System, Energy Metabolism, Fatty Acids, Humans, Hydroxybutyrates, Lactates, Male, Triglycerides, 3-Hydroxybutyric Acid
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
