Ribose versus dextrose supplementation, association with rowing performance: a double-blind study.

Publication/Presentation Date

1-1-2006

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: It has been hypothesized that ribose supplementation rapidly replenishes adenosine triphosphate stores and thereby improves exercise performance. We compared the effects of ribose versus dextrose on rowing performance.

DESIGN: Double-blind randomized trial.

SETTING: Rowing team training area of large midwestern university.

PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-one women collegiate rowers.

INTERVENTIONS: We studied the effects of ribose versus dextrose supplementation (10 g each in 8 oz water) for 8 weeks before and after practice and 2000-m time trials. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: In the time trials, the dextrose group showed significantly more improvement at 8 weeks than the ribose group (median, 15.2 vs. 5.2 s; P = 0.031).

CONCLUSIONS: We doubt ribose impaired, and hypothesize dextrose enhanced, rowing performance. Further research is needed to define what role, if any, dextrose and ribose play as athletic supplements.

Volume

16

Issue

1

First Page

68

Last Page

71

ISSN

1050-642X

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

16377979

Department(s)

Department of Medicine

Document Type

Article

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