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Research guide

Fat oxidation research

Useful for long events, but most athletes benefit most from better fueling and pacing first.

Updated Jul 22, 2026

Review the evidence

Outcome

Fat oxidation

Useful for long events, but most athletes benefit most from better fueling and pacing first.

What to do first

  • Fuel long runs and practice gut tolerance; don't chase under-fueling.
  • Build steady aerobic volume for 8–12 weeks.
  • Use race-specific long sessions to train the system you’ll use on race day.

Study library (reference)

Studies that measured this outcome.

studyOpen

Carbohydrate ingestion during endurance exercise improves performance in adults.

PMID 21411610 (2011): carbohydrate, carb — Time to exhaustion, Time-trial performance, Fat oxidation (study note for endurance athletes).

studyOpen

The ergogenic effects of acute carbohydrate feeding on endurance performance: a systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression.

PMID 37449467 (2024): carbohydrate, carb — Time to exhaustion, Time-trial performance, Fat oxidation (study note for endurance athletes).

studyOpen

Post-exercise Ingestion of Carbohydrate, Protein and Water: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis for Effects on Subsequent Athletic Performance.

PMID 29098657 (2018): carbohydrate, carb — Time to exhaustion, Time-trial performance, Fat oxidation (study note for endurance athletes).

studyOpen

Effects of protein in combination with carbohydrate supplements on acute or repeat endurance exercise performance: a systematic review.

PMID 24343835 (2014): carbohydrate, carb — Time to exhaustion, Time-trial performance, Fat oxidation (study note for endurance athletes).

studyOpen

Does caffeine added to carbohydrate provide additional ergogenic benefit for endurance?

PMID 21411838 (2011): carbohydrate, carb — Time to exhaustion, Time-trial performance, Fat oxidation (study note for endurance athletes).

studyOpen

Carbohydrate administration and exercise performance: what are the potential mechanisms involved?

PMID 20726621 (2010): carbohydrate, carb — Time to exhaustion, Time-trial performance, Fat oxidation (study note for endurance athletes).

studyOpen

[EFFECTS OF INGESTING CARBOHYDRATE-PROTEIN SUPPLEMENTS DURING EXERCISE ON ENDURANCE PERFORMANCE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW].

PMID 26545646 (2015): carbohydrate, carb — Time to exhaustion, Time-trial performance, Fat oxidation (study note for endurance athletes).

studyOpen

Glucose and Fructose Hydrogel Enhances Running Performance, Exogenous Carbohydrate Oxidation, and Gastrointestinal Tolerance.

PMID 34334720 (2022): carbohydrate, carb — Time to exhaustion, Time-trial performance, Fat oxidation (study note for endurance athletes).

studyOpen

Carbohydrate and Protein Co-Ingestion Postexercise Does Not Improve Next-Day Performance in Trained Cyclists.

PMID 34453013 (2021): carbohydrate, carb — Time to exhaustion, Time-trial performance, Fat oxidation (study note for endurance athletes).

studyOpen

Impact of Post-Exercise Fructose-Maltodextrin Ingestion on Subsequent Endurance Performance.

PMID 32582755 (2020): carbohydrate, carb — Time to exhaustion, Time-trial performance, Fat oxidation (study note for endurance athletes).

studyOpen

Effects of periodic carbohydrate ingestion on endurance and cognitive performances during a 40-km cycling time-trial under normobaric hypoxia in well-trained triathletes.

PMID 30897031 (2019): carbohydrate, carb — Time to exhaustion, Time-trial performance, Fat oxidation (study note for endurance athletes).

studyOpen

The ergogenic potency of carbohydrate mouth rinse on endurance running performance of dehydrated athletes.

PMID 31098832 (2019): carbohydrate, carb — Time to exhaustion, Time-trial performance, Fat oxidation (study note for endurance athletes).

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Sources