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Glucose but not fructose ingestion improves endurance cycling performance despite similar neuromuscular fatigue at exhaustion.

Richards AJ, Jamal-Zadeh P, Silva AR, Malekzadeh R, Turner LV, Laham R et al. · European journal of applied physiology · 2026

Seven recreationally active cyclists rode at their maximal lactate steady state until failure while drinking a placebo, or 60 g/h of glucose or fructose, with muscle fatigue, blood glucose and lactate, heart rate and perceived exertion tracked along the way. Glucose extended time to failure by about 25% versus placebo while fructose did not, and the researchers concluded the benefit came from better blood glucose maintenance rather than less neuromuscular fatigue.
Takeaway: Use glucose-based carbohydrate (around 60 g/h) rather than fructose alone during long, hard rides.
Abstract (source)

Purpose: This study investigated the neuromuscular differences between glucose (GLU) and fructose (FRU) ingestion on central and peripheral fatigue development and blood glucose responses during endurance cycling to failure.

Methods: Seven young, recreationally active participants (4 males, 3 females) completed a randomized, single-blinded crossover study involving three conditions: GLU, FRU, and placebo (PLA) ingestion. Participants cycled at an intensity set at their maximal lactate steady state until task failure while consuming PLA, or 60 g/h of GLU or FRU. Heart rate and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were assessed every 5 min whereas neuromuscular function of the knee extensors and capillary blood glucose and lactate were assessed every 20 min.

Results: GLU ingestion significantly increased time to task failure (~ 25%) compared to PLA (p

Conclusions: These

Findings: suggest that GLU, but not FRU, ingestion enhances endurance performance primarily through improved blood glucose maintenance rather than by the attenuation of neuromuscular fatigue.

Randomized controlled trialEndurance & Cardiovascular
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