Efficacy of Nutritional Ergogenic Aids in Hot Environments

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Efficacy of Nutritional Ergogenic Aids in Hot Environments


B.R. Ely, S.N. Cheuvront


Many athletes seeking a competitive edge rely on nutritional ergogenic aids to improve performance. Carbohydrate (CHO) and caffeine (CAF) supplementation appear efficacious at enhancing endurancc exercise performance when studied under ideal circumstances, but the unique challcnges imposed by environmental strcssors such as heat may minimize or negate these effects. Similar to findings in temperate or cool environments, CHO intake during endurance exercise in hot environments produces a consistent performance benefit. But in contrast to the benefits observed in moderate environments. CAF affords no apparent
performance advantage in the heat. These findings raise interesting questions about nutritional ergogenic mechanisms of action and other direction for future research.