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Study note

Multiple-Transportable Carbohydrate Effect on Long-Distance Triathlon Performance.

PMID 28350714 (2017): evidence summary and practical limits for endurance athletes.

Updated Jul 23, 2026

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Study note • PMID 28350714

Multiple-Transportable Carbohydrate Effect on Long-Distance Triathlon Performance.

Medicine and science in sports and exercise • 2017 • DOI 10.1249/MSS.0000000000001278
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How to use this page

This note summarizes one study record. Check the participants, methods, results, and limitations before applying it to training.

  • • Design signal: randomized trial.
  • • Population relevance: athlete/trained context.
  • • Consistency: single-study evidence.
  • • Practical recommendation depends on tolerance, context, and whether it protects training consistency.

ELI5

In plain language

This study aimed to determine the effect of multiple-transportable carbohydrate on triathlon competition performance when ingested within bars, gels, and drinks. (randomized trial; well-trained triathletes).

Effects on Time-trial performance, Performance in heat are mixed or unclear from the abstract alone. Treat this as a signal, not a guarantee; confirm methods and context in the full paper.

Takeaways

What the abstract suggests

  • • Study question: This study aimed to determine the effect of multiple-transportable carbohydrate on triathlon competition performance when ingested within bars, gels, and drinks.
  • • Effects on Time-trial performance, Performance in heat are mixed or unclear from the abstract alone.
  • • Population: well-trained triathletes.
  • • Protocol cues: abstract may omit dose/timing; use the full paper to replicate accurately.

Protocol

Protocol (as reported)

  • • Intervention/exposure: carbohydrate, carb (vs comparison group).
  • • Dose/time/duration: abstract doesn’t include enough detail; use the full paper’s methods section.
  • • Outcomes: Time to exhaustion, Time-trial performance, Fat oxidation, Performance in heat, Recovery speed.
  • • Replication note: abstracts often omit adherence and timing; confirm details before changing training or supplementation.

Fit

Who it may help, and who should be cautious

Who it helps

  • • Athletes similar to the study population (well-trained triathletes) working on fueling.
  • • Athletes who can measure Time to exhaustion, Time-trial performance, Fat oxidation, Performance in heat, Recovery speed with a repeatable workout or time-trial effort.

Who should be cautious

  • • If you have symptoms or conditions that make the intervention risky, get professional guidance.
  • • If you’re near race day and can’t safely test, defer the experiment.

Methods

What the study actually did

  • • Design: randomized trial (double-blind).
  • • Population: well-trained triathletes.
  • • Comparator: comparison group.
  • • Outcomes measured: Time to exhaustion, Time-trial performance, Fat oxidation, Performance in heat, Recovery speed.
  • • Source: PubMed PMID 28350714 (2017) — Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

Results excerpt

What the abstract reports

“Multiple-transportable (2:1 maltodextrin/glucose-fructose) compared with single-transportable carbohydrate ingested in differing format provided a small benefit to long-distance triathlon performance, inferred as adoption worthy.”

Note: excerpts are short; for full context, read the paper.

Limits

Limitations and bias

  • • Abstract-only summaries can miss critical details (population, protocol, adherence, and context).
  • • Single studies often don’t generalize to your event, history, and training load; treat results as a starting point.
  • • If your context differs (elite vs recreational; cycling vs running), adjust expectations and be conservative.
  • • This is performance information, not medical advice.

Practise the carbohydrate system, not just the ingredient ratio

Seventy-four well-trained male triathletes entered an in-competition randomised trial comparing multiple-transportable carbohydrate with an isocaloric glucose or maltodextrin-only strategy during half-Ironman racing. The mixed-carbohydrate protocol produced a small, uncertain performance benefit and did not materially worsen group gastrointestinal ratings.

The practical lesson is to rehearse a stable hourly intake using the same mix of drink, gels and solids available on race day. Increase intake progressively, measure the complete amount and keep notes on pace, heat, fluid and symptoms. A formulation cannot rescue a dose or delivery plan your gut has not learned to tolerate.

Participants were well-trained men and the estimated effect crossed no benefit, even though the study's decision analysis favoured adoption. Read the dose, confidence interval and product format in the PubMed record.

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