I have been sent some abstracts of papers from the recent scientific literature
suggesting that protein combined with carbohydrate is more effective than
carbohydrate alone in enhancing sports performance.

I have also been sent some information about a commercial product (Accelerade,
Pacific Health Laboratories, Woodbridge, NJ) that contains protein,
carbohydrate, sodium and potassium, and I have been requested to comment on its
likely value in enhancing physical performance.

In 1999, Richard Kreider wrote a review paper entitled "Effects of protein and
amino-acid supplementation on athletic performance" [Sportscience 3(1),
sportsci.org/jour/9901/rbk.html, 1999] in which he concluded:

"Ingesting carbohydrate with protein prior to or following exercise may reduce
catabolism, promote glycogen resynthesis, or promote a more anabolic hormonal
environment. Whether employing these strategies during training enhances
performance is not yet clear."

I conducted a PubMed search from 1999 (the year Richard Kreider's review was
published) to the present, and found the references listed below my signature
block (with two of the abstracts also shown and denoted 'source being
identified'). I have placed orders for all the complete references shown.

I would be pleased to use these references and any discussion on this list to
write an 'informal review' (for submission to Sportscience) of the current
situation with respect to the value (or otherwise) of adding protein to CHO for
performance enhancement. This would be similar to the review I wrote in 2002
entitled "Effect of Vegetarian Diets on Performance in Strength Sports"
(published in Sportscience on July 9).

To begin with, have I missed any critical (or important) papers published in the
last five years?

Second, I would be very pleased to see other people's opinions, on the
understanding that they would receive acknowledgement in the review paper
(unless they prefer anonymity).

Could I also ask that contributors to the discussion include their current
position and address (if you would like these to be revealed) so I can make a
full acknowledgement.

Finally, if the list moderator agrees, it may be more appropriate to direct
replies to the list rather than directly to me, so everyone who is interested
can follow the discussion. If so, respondents need to key the Sportscience
address <sportscience@yahoogroups.com> into the 'To' box, and not simply 'Reply'
to this message.

POST 1998 REFERENCES IDENTIFIED SO FAR

Carrithers JA, Williamson DL, Gallagher PM, et al. Effects of postexercise
carbohydrate-protein feedings on muscle glycogen restoration. J Appl Physiol.
2000;88(6):1976-82.

Fogt DL, Ivy JL. Effects of post exercise carbohydrate-protein supplement on
skeletal muscle glycogen storage. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2000;32(5):S60.

Ivy JL, Goforth HW Jr, Damon BM, McCauley TR, Parsons EC, Price TB. Early
postexercise muscle glycogen recovery is enhanced with a carbohydrate-protein
supplement. J Appl Physiol. 2002;93(4):1337-44.

Jentjens RL, van Loon LJ, Mann CH, et al. Addition of protein and amino acids to
carbohydrates does not enhance postexercise muscle glycogen synthesis. J Appl
Physiol. 2001;91(2):839-46.

Ready SL, Seifert J, Burke E. Effect of two sports drinks on muscle tissue
stress and performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1999;31(5)S119.

Res P, Ding Z, Witzman MO, et al. Exercise Physiology and Metabolism Laboratory,
Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, The University of Texas, Austin,
TX. The effect of carbohydrate-protein supplementation on endurance performance
during exercise of varying intensity. Abstract provided (source being
identified).

Seifert JG, Burke ER. The Influence of a Carbohydrate/Protein Sports Drink on
Soccer Sprint Performance. Abstract provided (source being identified).

Williams MB, Raven PB, Fogt DL, Ivy JL. Effects of recovery beverages on
glycogen restoration and endurance exercise performance. J Strength Cond Res.
2003;17(1):12-9.

Williams M, Ivy J, Raven, P. Effects of recovery drinks after prolonged
glycogen-depletion exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1999;31(5)S124.

Sincerely,

Chris Forbes-Ewan

Defence Scientist (Nutrition) S&T 5
Defence Nutrition
DSTO-Scottsdale
PO Box 147
SCOTTSDALE Tas 7260
AUSTRALIA

Phone: Int + 61 3 6352 6607 (03 6352 6607 within Australia)
Fax: Int + 61 3 6352 3044 (03 6352 3044 within Australia)