Description

How Protein Enhances Athletic Performance

The introduction of Accelerade represented an important new chapter in the science of fueling and hydration. Accelerade is the first sports drink that contains protein in a patented 4:1 carbohydrate-protein ratio. Protein-powered Accelerade in multiple studies was shown to have both synergistic effects with both carbohydrates and electrolytes as well as independent effects to enhance endurance and reduce fatigue.

The carbohydrate composition found in Accelerade is different, consisting of 3 short-acting high-glycemic carbohydrates. Each of the carbohydrates uses a different transporter system, thereby increasing the amount of energy that is transported to muscles. And since the sugars are high-glycemic, energy delivery is not delayed by stomach absorption which means faster delivery.

The protein in Accelerade, which contains a high percentage of branched chain amino acids reduces fatigue during exercise and also has a major impact on reducing muscle damage and speeding recovery after exercise. Although these endurance and recovery benefits would make protein-powered Accelerade an ideal choice for a sports drink.

Accelerade is also a better rehydration drink. Just as carbohydrate activates an independent transporter system, so does protein. In fact, in a study comparing Accelerade to a carbohydrate-electrolyte sports drink, and to water, Accelerade was 15% more effective than Gatorade, and 37% more effective than water.

Accelerade Research Highlights

Increased rehydration by 15% compared to a carb-only sports drink

• Increased rehydration by 40% compared to plain water
• Increased endurance by 29% compared to a carb-only drink and increased endurance by 40% over carb-only drink in a subsequent ride
• Decreased post-exercise muscle damage by 83% compared to a carb-only drink
• Over a trial period of five to ten days, decreased markers of muscle damage and subjects were able to perform significantly more leg extensions when compared to a placebo or carb-only beverage
• Decreased soccer sprint performance by 1.1 seconds compared to an electrolyte-only sports drink
• Decreased speed performance by 8% and reaction time by 12% in hockey players compared to a carbohydrate-only sports drink
• There is no difference in gastric emptying characteristics between a carb-only or carbohydrate-protein sports drink
• Decreased muscle damage and soreness compared to a carb-only sports drink during resistance training exercise
• Significantly increased cycling sports performance compared to a carbohydrate-only sports drink
• Reduction in muscle damage associated with Accelerade translated into greater muscle performance 24 hours later