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The effect of a low carbohydrate diet versus an optimal percentage of carbohydrate on handball playing performance

Year: 1983
Type: dissertation
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a low carbohydrate diet versus an optimal percentage of carbohydrate on handball playing performance using blood glucose, blood lactate, total points, point spread, win/loss records, and anecdotal comments as measured parameters.Five male handball players were used as subjects.The general design of this study was a double round robin tournament of test matches.Each test match consisted of a control and experimental two consecutive day sequence.Within the round robin tournament, each subject played each other subject, once on the low carbohydrate diet and again when the carbohydrate intake was optimal.Blood samples were drawn immediately following the experimental match and analyzed for blood glucose and blood lactate levels.Subjects responded to a questionnaire before and after the control and experimental matches.Scores for each game were recorded on the same questionnaire and used to determine the total points, point spread, and the win/loss record for each subject.Test protocol was identical for all matches and no subject played more than one test match per week.Subjects were restricted from performing any strenuous exercise 24 hours prior to the control match and in the 23 hour period between the control and experimental match.Dietary carbohydrate did not significantly affect blood glucose or blood lactate values.In all cases subjects scored more points, had a greater point spread, won more games, and felt better at the conclusion of the experimental match when the carbohydrate intake was optimal.Results of this study indicate that the ingestion of optimal percentage of carbohydrate positively affects handball playing performance.
Author: Boe, Alison Anne
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W193686874
Cites: 25
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Related to: 10