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The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of three different preexercise meals: high-carbohydrate, low-glycemic index (LGI), high-carbohydrate, high-GI (HGI) and low-carbohydrate high fat (LCHO) on substrate oxidation during an incremental cycling test (ICT) in recreationally active adults.

This was a parallel, randomized study in which participants ingested one of three meals (LGI, HGI or LCHO) 3 h prior to exercise testing. Testing included ICT to exhaustion with continuous ergospirometry measurement.

Fat oxidation rate was significantly higher in LCHO compared to HGI (p = 0.039). Carbohydrate contribution to energy production was significantly lower and fat contribution higher in LCHO compared to HGI (p = 0.034). Fat-to-carbohydrates crossover point was achieved at significantly higher heart rate in LCHO group compared to LGI and HGI (p = 0.046 and p = 0.049, respectively). Peak fat oxidation occurred significantly later during exercises in LCHO group compared to HGI (p = 0.025). In conclusion, LCHO meal results in a higher fat oxidation, reduced carbohydrates contribution-to-energy production, delayed peak fat oxidation point and altered fat-to-carbohydrates crossover dynamics. There are no differences in substrate oxidation between high-carbohydrate preexercise meals that differ only in GI.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to compare the acute effect of both the amount of carbohydrates and the GI in a preexercise meal on substrate utilization during ICT.