Effects of Simple Carbohydrate vs. Carbohydrate-Protein Intake on Glucose Homeostasis Following Intense Exercise

Kluka, J., Baskerville, J., Clifton, K., Fisher, K., Marks, D., Weidner, C., Veerabhadrappa, P. and Braun, W.A. (FACSM), Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, PA. Purpose: To test the effects of simple carbohydrate (CHO) and the combination of CHO and protein on blood glucose (BG) clearance following intense anaerobic exercise. Methods: Eight members (age = 18.8 ± 1.4 years) of the Shippensburg University Football team participated in the study. On separate test days, subjects were given either a placebo (PL) drink, a CHO drink (74 g CHO in 473 ml), or a carbohydrate-protein (C-PRO) drink (58 g CHO and 16 g PRO in 473 ml), upon completing the exercise bout. Before exercise, baseline measurements were taken for BG and heart rate. The subject then completed a 90-sec modified Wingate protocol (resistance set at 70% of the individual’s Wingate protocol resistance). BG was tested post-exercise, and every ten minutes after ingestion of the solution for 60 min. Results: Neither total revolutions completed (PL = 123.0±5.0; CHO = 126.9±3.9; C-PRO = 125.4±2.8) nor post-exercise BG (mg.dl-1) differed across treatments (PL = 88.6±6.5; CHO = 93.1±4.0; C-PRO = 101.1±4.7). However, CHO elicited the highest (p\u3c0.05) mean BG during recovery and the lowest BG was found in the PL. Conclusion: While matching post-exercise energy intake, C-PRO elicited a smaller BG area than CHO but tended to be larger than that of PL (p=0.052). C-PRO may be a better choice for post-exercise intake if aiming to maintain glucose homeostasis during recovery

Print media coverage of women\'s sport in South Africa

No Abstract.AJPHERD Vol. 14 (3) 2008: pp. 299-30

Effect of visual cues and practice on decision making of touch rugby players

Researchers have reported that appropriate decision making involves an understanding of choices between options and performing appropriate actions. The ability to identify visual cues that improve decision making and performance is beneficial for sport; however, after a thorough perusal, virtually no published information is available on visual training, decision making and touch rugby. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of visual cues and practice on decision making of touch rugby players. A convenience sample of 18 South African provincial touch rugby players were selected and divided randomly into three groups. Groups were required to analyze touch rugby-specific situations from video clips and determine the best decision for each one. Group 1 participated in a physical training session based on defense in touch rugby and a visual training session which involved analyzing defense patterns. Group 2 only participated in a physical training session based on defense. Group 3 acted as a control and was not involved in any additional training sessions. Results from a Kruskal-Wallis test indicated that there was no significant difference between the pre-test of the three groups. There was, however, a significant difference in the post-test among the three groups in terms of body positioning, field positioning, response time and verbal communication with reference to decision making in touch rugby. It is recommended that additional research that replicates the research design be performed in order to construct more definitive interventions for decision making in touch rugby