The Claim

Carbohydrate intake following a 14-hour fast results in a minor improvement in anaerobic performance and a measurable improvement in muscular endurance among trained men.

Source: Effects of sodium bicarbonate and carbohydrate intake after 14-h fasting on anaerobic performance and muscular endurance: A randomized placebo-controlled trial.

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
37score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

Correlation
1 study reviewed
In plain English

After a 14-hour fast, consuming carbohydrates slightly improves short bursts of high-intensity effort and clearly improves the ability to sustain muscular effort over time in trained men.

See the scientific wording

Carbohydrate intake after a 14-hour fast has a minor effect on anaerobic performance but improves muscular endurance in trained men, indicating that its benefits may be specific to sustained effort rather than explosive power.

Why this might work

After a long fast, muscle fuel runs low. Eating carbs restores energy stores, letting muscles keep contracting for longer without tiring, but doesn't make quick bursts stronger because those rely on other systems that aren't boosted by carbs alone.

Supported mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study
  1. Study: Effects of sodium bicarbonate and carbohydrate intake after 14-h fasting on anaerobic performance and muscular endurance: A randomized placebo-controlled trial.

    After fasting overnight, eating carbs didn’t help men sprint faster but did let them do more push-ups and squats before getting tired. So carbs help with lasting effort, not quick bursts.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

Fit Body Science verdict — we translate health claims into clear verdicts backed by peer-reviewed research.

Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.