The comparison responses of glucose, blood insulin and appetite to the amount of carbohydrate intake after high intensity interval exercise in female athletes

Recovery is very important aspect of training. Desire for food intake is important at this time. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the response of glucose, insulin and appetite to the amount of carbohydrate consumption after intense intermittent exercise (HIIE).

Thirty-two female athletes (age 22.41±1.04 yrs and weight 56.77±2.41 kg) participated in this study were divided into two carbohydrate drink rate (1.2 g/kg) and (0.4 g/kg) groups. The HIIE consists of 8×3 min set at 80% HRmax. The initial speed was 6 km/h with a 1% gradient. Running speed was increased by 1 km/h with 3 min intervals. 90-s active recovery at 55% between repetitions was considered. The subjects consumed CD at 15 and 90 min after HIIE. Blood samples were taken before, immediately and 150 min after and appetite was measured by a visual analog scale [VAS] before, immediately, 15, 30, 60, 90 and 150 min after HIIE. Statistical data analysis was conducted by the repetitive multivariate analysis of variance and Pearson correlation coefficient (P<0.05).

Amount of carbohydrate intake leads to significant differences in desire for food 30 min after activity (P<0.05). 0.4 g/kg carbohydrate drink led to a lower desire for food (P<0.05). Glucose immediately after exercise into two groups was increased, but after 150 min in the 1.2 g/kg group was decreased (P<0.05).

According to the results, it seems that appetite decreased after HIIE and increased after carbohydrate consumption in both groups, which can be justified due to glucose absorption and improvement in insulin resistance.