Carbohydrate and hydration strategies linked to sugar use, sprinting, and hydration in recreational soccer match simulations

Supplementation with a 9.6% carbohydrate-caffeine-electrolyte solution improved mean sprint speed by 3 ± 1% compared to an electrolyte solution.

• Blood glucose concentration was significantly influenced by the type of supplementation used.
• None of the carbohydrate-hydration strategies effectively prevented a drop in blood glucose at 60 minutes.
• Plasma osmolality increased by 2.3 ± 0.5% with high carbohydrate and caffeine supplementation.
• Sodium concentrations were 2.1 ± 0.4% higher in the high carbohydrate and caffeine group compared to the electrolyte solution.
• The high carbohydrate-caffeine strategy negatively impacted hydration status compared to lower carbohydrate solutions.

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