Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between taste preference and total fluid intake during a 90-min run at 60% VO2max as well as during a 90-min period of seated recovery under hyperthermic conditions (30 degrees C, 50% RH), comparing the ad libitum intake of water and two carbohydrate-electrolyte drinks (one containing 6% CHO and the other 8% CHO) randomized over three trails.
Methods: Fifteen men runners and triathletes, 18 to 40 yr of age, completed an initial test to determine VO2max, a practice 90-min run at 60% VO2max, and three experimental 90-min run/90-min recovery trials on separate days approximately 1 wk apart.
Results: There were no differences across the three treatments in fluid intake, rectal temperature, or RPE during exercise, but subjects consumed 54% and 59% more fluid during recovery with the two carbohydrate-electrolyte drinks compared with water. When comparing the subjects' trials with the most liked versus the least liked of the three fluids, they consumed more of the most liked fluid during exercise (1.10 vs 0.97 L.90 min-1) but not during recovery (1.02 vs 0.90 L.90 min-1.ns).
Conclusions: Thus, perceived taste of a beverage is important for fluid replacement during exercise.