Carbohydrate supplementation maintains physical performance during short-term energy deficit despite reductions in exogenous glucose oxidation

• DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00418.2024
• Publication Date: 2025-01-16T02:07:18Z
• Authors: Lee M. Margolis; Jillian T. Allen; Nancy E. Murphy; Christopher T. Ca...; Emily E. Howard; David E. Barney; Devin J. Drummer; Julia Michalak; Arny A. Ferrando; Stefan M. Pasiakos; Jess A. Gwin

Short-term (6-day) energy deficit reduced exogenous glucose oxidation during exercise. Though less exogenous glucose was used for fuel, young healthy individuals appear to have a metabolic resilience to short-term periods of low energy availability, with no observed differences in the ability to take up and oxidize exogenous glucose between minimal (20%), moderate (40%), and severe (60%) energy deficits. Similar metabolic responses to carbohydrate supplementation independent of deficit severity likely contributed to sustainment of physical performance.