Carbohydrate mouth rinsing in the fed state: lack of enhancement of time-trial performance

It has been reported previously that mouth rinsing with a carbohydrate-containing solution can improve cycling performance. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the impact of such a carbohydrate mouth rinse on exercise performance during a simulated time trial in a more practical, postprandial setting. Fourteen male endurance-trained athletes were selected to perform 2 exercise tests in the morning after consuming a standardized breakfast. They performed an approximately 1-hr time trial on a cycle ergometer while rinsing their mouths with either a 6.4% maltodextrin solution (CHO) or water (PLA) after every 12.5% of the set amount of work. Borg's rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was assessed after every 25% of the set amount of work, and power output and heart rate were recorded continuously throughout the test. Performance time did not differ between treatments and averaged 68.14 +/- 1.14 and 67.52 +/- 1.00 min in CHO and PLA, respectively (p = .57). In accordance, average power output (265 +/- 5 vs. 266 +/- 5 W,p = .58), heart rate (169 +/- 2 vs. 168 +/- 2 beats/min, p = .43), and RPE (16.4 +/- 0.3 vs. 16.7 +/- 0.3 W, p = .26) did not differ between treatments. Furthermore, after dividing the trial into 8 s, no differences in power output, heart rate, or perceived exertion were observed over time between treatments. Carbohydrate mouth rinsing does not improve time-trial performance when exercise is performed in a practical, postprandial setting.