Effect of Strength Training and Carbohydrate Supplementation on the Physical Fitness of Male Bodybuilder

The search for a magical substance that will give it a higher competitive level has always been a concern. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of strength training and carbohydrate supplementation on agility, flexibility, explosive power and speed of bodybuilding men. For this purpose, 36 young bodybuilders volunteered to participate in the study and were randomly divided into three experimental, placebo, and control groups. The experimental group received carbohydrate supplementation and the placebo group received placebo, but the control group did not take any supplement. Subjects in all three groups performed selected strength training with 60-80% of maximal repetition for 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week and 60 minutes each session. Agility, flexibility, explosive power and speed of subjects were measured before and after eight weeks. Data were analyzed by SPSS software and one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc test. Significant level was p≤0.05. The results showed that there was a statistically significant difference in explosive power between the groups (p = 0.019), but no significant differences were found between agility, flexibility, and speed. According to the results of the study, it can be stated that strength training combined with carbohydrate supplementation increases explosive power and it is recommended that bodybuilders, along with their exercise program, use carbohydrate supplements to improve some of their fitness factors, including their explosive power.