Abstract
Nutritional intake is an important factor that can modulate exercise performance and recovery. Carbohydrate is the main fuel source during prolonged moderate- to high- intensity exercise. The ergogenic effect of carbohydrate feeding during prolonged moderate- to high-intensity exercise has been well-established. In addition, carbohydrate ingestion represents the most important factor in post-exercise muscle glycogen repletion. Besides the repletion of muscle glycogen stores, skeletal muscle damage repair and reconditioning are important determinants of post-exercise recovery.
A single session of exercise stimulates muscle protein synthesis rates. However, the muscle protein net balance will remain negative in the absence of food intake. Protein ingestion stimulates muscle protein synthesis rates, allowing for a positive (post-exercise) muscle protein balance. Multiple factors have been identified that can modulate the post-exercise muscle protein synthetic response to exercise including the amount, type, timing, and distribution of protein ingestion. However, the optimal composition and timing of nutritional intake following exercise remains to be determined. In this thesis, we elaborate on the implications of carbohydrate and protein ingestion as nutritional interventions to improve post-exercise recovery.
Defence date: 03/10/2019
Maastricht University
