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.
