Skip to content

Effects of protein-carbohydrate vs. carbohydrate alone supplementation on immune inflammation markers in endurance athletes: a randomized controlled trial.

PMID 36918416 (2023): carbohydrate, carb — Time to exhaustion, Time-trial performance, Fat oxidation (study note for endurance athletes).

Last updated/Feb 23, 2026, 10:34 PM

Study note • PMID 36918416

Effects of protein-carbohydrate vs. carbohydrate alone supplementation on immune inflammation markers in endurance athletes: a randomized controlled trial.

European journal of applied physiology2023 • DOI 10.1007/s00421-023-05168-6
Evidence C69/100
Action 2: Consider

Worth trying if it fits your goal and context.

ELI5

In plain language

The impact of ingesting carbohydrates alone or combined with proteins to support exercise immune adaptation in endurance athletes is scarcely investigated. (randomized trial; n=12 well-trained athletes).

The abstract suggests a positive effect on Time to exhaustion, Time-trial performance, Fat oxidation under the tested conditions. Treat this as a signal, not a guarantee; confirm methods and context in the full paper.

Takeaways

What the abstract suggests

  • Study question: The impact of ingesting carbohydrates alone or combined with proteins to support exercise immune adaptation in endurance athletes is scarcely investigated.
  • The abstract suggests a positive effect on Time to exhaustion, Time-trial performance, Fat oxidation under the tested conditions.
  • Population: n=12 well-trained athletes.
  • Protocol cues (title/abstract): 10 week • 10 weeks.

Protocol

Protocol (as reported)

  • Intervention/exposure: carbohydrate, carb (vs comparison group).
  • Dose/time/duration cues in abstract/title: 10 week • 10 weeks.
  • Outcomes: Time to exhaustion, Time-trial performance, Fat oxidation.
  • Replication note: abstracts often omit adherence and timing; confirm details before changing training or supplementation.

Fit

Who it helps, and who should skip it

Who it helps

  • Athletes similar to the study population (n=12 well-trained athletes) working on fueling.
  • Athletes who can measure Time to exhaustion, Time-trial performance, Fat oxidation with a repeatable workout or time-trial effort.

Who should skip

  • 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.
  • Population: n=12 well-trained athletes.
  • Comparator: comparison group.
  • Outcomes measured: Time to exhaustion, Time-trial performance, Fat oxidation.
  • Protocol cues mentioned: 10 week • 10 weeks.
  • Source: PubMed PMID 36918416 (2023) — European journal of applied physiology.

Results excerpt

What the abstract reports

TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov with the following ID: NCT02954367.

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

Limits

Limitations & 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.

Coaching beta

Get a plan that adapts to your life.

Join the 26weeks.ai TestFlight beta for adaptive coaching, recovery-aware adjustments, and race-week reminders.

Keep going

Sources