Ribose Versus Dextrose Supplementation, Association With Rowing Performance

A Double-Blind Study

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.