CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
Resistance training, (also known as weight training or strength training) is the use of resistance to induce muscular contraction with the aim of building muscle strength, anaerobic endurance and size of skeletal muscles. It is based on the principle that muscles of the body will work to overcome resistance force when they are required to do so. Resistance training has gained popularity in recent years largely due to its appeal and positive impact on many diverse populations such as athletic, recreational and clinical communities. Resistance training increases the concentration of various hormones and growth promoting agents in the body that may contribute to improved muscular strength and size (American College of Sports Medicine, 2009). One important fact that should be considered is that resistance training is highly fatiguing and hence athletes and coaches have to device means to stop lactic acid accumulation in the muscles during resistance exercises. Carbohydrate supplementation could be the solution in combating this lactic acid accumulation during exercise and training.
Carbohydrate supplements are carbohydrates that have been formulated as a health tool, so that an individual can control the body’s muscle, fat percentage and energy levels. They help to replenish glycogen stores in muscles, which are depleted after intense workouts. The benefits of carbohydrate supplements are best achieved when paired with exercises, and different formulas can be taken before, during and after exercising to achieve different benefits. When used properly, the best carbohydrate supplements have an enormously positive impact on athletic performance and maintaining proper energy levels.
Traditionally, carbohydrate supplementation is associated with aerobic exercise performance. In this context, carbohydrate supplementation has been shown to increase the amount of work that can be performed as well as increase the duration of aerobic exercise. The elevation of blood glucose (BG) associated with supplementation is suggested to improve aerobic performance through reduction of muscle glycogen use or through the use of BG as a predominant fuel source as glycogen becomes depleted (Hargreaves, Hawley, & Jeukendrup, 2004).
Recently, there is evidence that similar effects on muscle glycogen occur during intermittent anaerobic type exercise, such as resistance training. Intermittent activities stimulate significant glycogenolytic effects, and therefore it appears that a similar effect on muscle glycogen occurs during the performance of resistance training exercises. Several studies have demonstrated a significant decrease in muscle glycogen after resistance training and other forms of high-intensity intermittent exercises (Lambert, Flynn, Boone, Michaud, & Rodriguez-Zayas, 1991), which has led to the belief that glycogenolysis seems to be an important energy source during high-intensity resistance training.
Conley, Stone, Marsit, Bryant, Nieman and Johnson (1995) & Hargreaves, Hawley and Jeukendrup (2004), have investigated the effects that resistance training has on skeletal muscle glycogen depletion, specifically the extent of muscle glycogen depletion following one bout of resistance training. Overall, these studies emphasize the importance of glycogen in providing energy “fuel” during resistance training and show that one bout of resistance training can significantly reduce glycogen stores within the body. This resulting glycogen depletion significantly affects performance during resistance training. Gollnick, Armstrong, Sembrowick, Shepherd, and Saltin (1973) claim that such reduction in glycogen content, significantly decreased the ability of the fibers to function during the heavy work involved in resistance training, which may ultimately hinder performance. Several negative outcomes of decreased muscle glycogen concentration can lead to a decrease in overall resistance training performance.
There may be a way to combat these negative results and prevent significant glycogen depletion following resistance training with carbohydrate supplementation (Hargreaves, Hawley, & Jeukendrup, 2004). It is known that carbohydrate stores within the body provide the major sources of energy or “fuel” necessary for exercise (Burke, Kiens, & Ivy, 2004). Much attention has focused on maximizing carbohydrate (CHO) stores and minimizing the negative effects of glycogen depletion. Resistance training performance during a routine that results in significant muscle glycogen depletion may theoretically benefit from CHO supplementation prior to exercise. Hatifield, Kraemer, Volek, Rubin, Grebien, Gomez, and (2006), explain that since glycogenolysis is an important source of energy during resistance training, the effects of CHO supplementation may enhance resistance training performance.
Haff, Lehmkuhl, McCoy and Stone, (2003) & Volek, (2003) showed in their respective studies that CHO supplementation prior to and during resistance training can decrease the rate of muscle glycogen depletion, help to maintain daily glycogen stores, and ultimately improve performance. While substantial evidence exists for the use of CHO supplementation to restore glycogen concentration levels following an exercise bout in aerobic exercises, studies on CHO supplementation prior to a resistance training bout are limited and have resulted in conflicting findings. The discrepancies between the conflicting results seem to be due to the differences between the duration and intensity of the resistance training bout as well as the type of resistance exercise. Haff et al. (2003) claim that while the data in existing literature seems to support the ergogenic benefits of CHO supplementation on resistance training performance, the relationship between pre-exercise CHO supplementation and resistance training performance is somewhat unclear.
Statement of the Problem
Over the years, coaches and athletic trainers have been concerned over what makes athletes train harder and perform better. Various methods have been proposed and developed for maximizing athletic performance in training and competition. One of such methods developed is using carbohydrate supplements to combat fatigue or lactic acid accumulation. Studies have shown that glycogen depletion (which also leads to fatigue) occurs during intermittent anaerobic type exercises such as resistance training. The question then arises as to the relationship between carbohydrate supplementation and resistance training or exercise.
To the best of the researcher’s knowledge, of the few studies that do attempt to investigate the relationship between pre-exercise CHO supplementation and the performance of a resistance training bout, only one study has investigated the effect of CHO supplementation on the ability to perform work at intensities greater than 70% 1 repetition maximum (1RM). The limited investigations hinder the reliability of the evidence that supports the use of CHO supplementation prior to a resistance-training bout in order to enhance resistance-training performance.
Also, to the best of the researcher knowledge, little is known of the trend about the effect of pre exercise carbohydrate supplementation on resistance training performance among athletes in the University of Benin. This observed gap in knowledge and research effort informs the need for the present study.
Research Questions
The following research questions are raised to guide the study:
- Would there be any significant difference in the effect of pre exercise CHO supplementation on bench press total repetitions following a resistance training session of Uniben athletes?
- Would there be any significant difference in the effect of pre exercise CHO supplementation on push up total repetitions following a resistance training session of Uniben athletes?
- Would there be any significance difference in the effect of pre exercise CHO supplementation on squats total repetitions following a resistance training session of Uniben athlete?
Hypothesis
- There would be no significant difference in the effect of pre exercise CHO supplementation on bench press total repetitions following a resistance training session of Uniben athletes?
- There would be no significant difference in the effect of pre exercise CHO supplementation on push up total repetitions following a resistance training session of Uniben athletes?
- There would be no significance difference in the effect of pre exercise CHO supplementation on squats total repetitions following a resistance training session of Uniben athlete?
Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of pre exercise carbohydrates supplementation on resistance training performance during a training session among athletes of the University of Benin. Specifically, the objectives are:
- To determine whether there is a difference in the effect of pre exercise CHO supplementation on bench press total volume following a training session of Uniben athletes.
- To determine whether there is a difference in the effect of pre exercise CHO supplementation on push up total volume following a training session of Uniben athletes.
- To determine whether there is a difference in the effect of pre exercise CHO supplementation on squats total volume following a training session of Uniben athletes.
Significance of the Study
The effects of CHO supplementation on performance during a resistance training session have direct important for athletes who perform resistance training in hopes of gaining or maintaining muscular strength.
Also, this study will increase the knowledge of Sport administrators, trainers, coaches and teachers at the different levels of educational and sporting institutions and equip them with methods of enhancing the performance of Athletes and developing amateurs into high achieving professionals by maximizing the effects of training.
This study will add to the existing body of knowledge and serve as a basis for future researchers to draw inferences from.
Scope and Delimitation of the Study
This study will be delimited to athletes of the University of Benin. Also, bench press total volume, push up total volume and squat total volume as well as Carbohydrate supplementation (Alenburys Glucose D) will be the only variables considered for this study.
Operational Definition of Terms
The following terms are defined as they are used in the study.
Pre exercise carbohydrate supplementation: Pre exercise carbohydrate supplementation refers to food substances highly rich in carbohydrates taken before an event, and they are quickly and easily digested.
Resistance training: Resistance training is a type of physical exercise specializing in the use of resistance or weights to induce muscular contractions which builds the strengths, anaerobic endurance and size of skeletal muscles.
