Improved recovery from prolonged exercise following the consumption of low glycemic index carbohydrate meals

The present study examined the effects of the glycemic index (GI) of post-exercise carbohydrate (CHO) intake on endurance capacity and the metabolic responses during exercise the following day. Nine active males participated in two trials in a randomised crossover design. The experimental protocol was completed over two days. On day 1, subjects completed a 90 min treadmill run at 70% VO2 max (R1). Thereafter, they were supplied with a diet consisting of either high glycemic index (HGI) or low glycemic index (LGI) CHO and provided 8g CHOkg body mass (BM)-1.On day 2, after an overnight fast, subjects ran to exhaustion at 70% VO2 max (R2). Eight subjects completed both performance runs (R2). Run time to exhaustion during R2 was longer in the LGI trial (108.9 7.4 min) than in the HGI trial (96.9 4.8 min) (p<0.05). Average RER values were higher in the HGI trial compared to the LGI trial (p<0.05). Fat oxidation rates and free fatty acid concentrations were higher in the LGI trial than the HGI trial (p<0.05). The results of the study suggest that the increased endurance capacity during R2 was largely a consequence of the greater fat oxidation following the consumption of the LGI meals

Social organization of otters in relation to their ecology

International audienceOtter species are known to fluctuate intraspecifically from a solitary lifestyle to group-living arrangements. By examining what is known about habitat use and foraging style in otters of 13 different species, based on 93 studied sites, we assessed (1) the relationship between social habits and preferred habitats, (2) the relationship between species and prey preferences, and (3) the effect of predator avoidance on their social organization in order to assess the socio-ecological factors influencing otters. Females remain the core of their social stability. We show the major influence of habitats and feeding strategies (i.e. socio-ecology) of otters. The different species of solitary otters most often inhabit linear environments, such as freshwater ecosystems or wave-exposed marine coasts, and their habitat is often subject to disturbances that fragment their functional continuity. Social otters are more often found in extensive habitats with high plant cover, regular food resources and in areas with large predators compared to solitary species. The maintenance of regular resources and the fact that the main trophic resources are replenished rapidly might be determining factors driving sociality. Group-living and bachelor congregations among otters can also respond to pressure from large predators. This suggests that foraging, habitat use and the presence of large predators may be the drivers of sociality in otters. We conclude that most otters have a greater social potential than previously assumed, which is confirmed by their various vocalizations recently described