Ketone monoester plus high‐dose glucose supplementation before exercise does not affect immediate post‐exercise erythropoietin concentrations versus glucose alone

Abstract

Abstract The objective of this study was to examine the effect of consuming ketone monoester plus a high dose of carbohydrate from glucose (KE + CHO) on the change in erythropoietin (EPO) concentrations during load carriage exercise compared with carbohydrate (CHO) alone. Using a randomized, crossover design, 12 males consumed KE + CHO (573 mg KE/kg body mass, 110 g glucose) or CHO (110 g glucose) 30 min before 4 miles of self‐paced treadmill exercise (KE + CHO:51 ± 13%, CHO: 52 ± 12% V̇O 2peak ) wearing a weighted vest (30% body mass; 25 ± 3 kg). Blood samples for analysis were obtained under resting fasted conditions before (Baseline) consuming the KE + CHO or CHO supplement and immediately after exercise (Post). βHB increased ( p < 0.05) from Baseline to Post in KE + CHO, with no change in CHO. Glucose and glycerol increased ( p < 0.05) from Baseline to Post in CHO, with no effect of time in KE + CHO. Insulin and lactate increased ( p < 0.05) from Baseline to Post independent of treatment. EPO increased ( p < 0.05) from Baseline to Post in KE + CHO and CHO with no difference between treatments. Although KE + CHO altered βHB, glucose, and glycerol concentrations, results from this study suggest that KE + CHO supplementation before load carriage exercise does not enhance immediate post‐exercise increases in EPO compared with CHO alone.