Glycerol and Resistance Sport (cycling, track events). It is well known that when physical activity is carried out in hot damp surroundings, the organism can lose up to 3 litres, and more, of liquid for every hour of exercise. It is also known that the loss of 1.5 litres of liquid can also compromise resistance. In fact, dehydration is a serious problem for many athletes, even when they have a constant supply of liquids to hand. The problem is supplying liquids that stay inside the organism longer. In this sense, various glycerol solutions have been researched, and now represent one of the strategies for preventing/attenuating levels of dehydration and their negative effect on performance.

The following considerations could explain the action of this substance. Glycerol attracts water and when mixed with water, improves transport of it through the intestine. It has been proved that different mixtures of glycerol and water have a positive effect on the absorption of the water and salts. Furthermore, it does not contribute to increasing hematic insulin. The water that is stored through glycerol is presumably held inside the cells, especially the muscles. A similar mechanism is activated for creatine, which can increase hydration levels by calling water inside muscular cells. On the basis of these observations, glycerol has been indicated as a useful rehydrating agent in resistance sports and in pathologies characterised by serious dehydration.

The research carried out so far has been analysed by Robergs and Griffin (1998, refer to the bibliography).

After taking glycerol, the effects observed in athletes, using various experimental methods, were increase in body water, greater sweating, lower body temperature increase during exercise, greater resistance to physical stress.

Glycerol and BodyBuilding. At the moment, there is no research available regarding the use of glycerol in this sport. However, we can indicate the effects that some athletes of this sport have personally experienced. Taking glycerol improves muscle volume and, if taken a few hours before competition, produces better and longer lasting definition of blood vessels.

 

Dose: use 0.5-1g of glycerol for each kg of body weight, diluted in 1-1.5 litres of water. Take between 120 and 60 minutes before physical performance. Use the bottle top as a measure (10g, 8 cc approx.).

 

Contraindications and warnings. Excessive doses (higher than those given in the table) of glycerol (especially if pure or highly concentrated) can cause headache and clouded vision. Intestinal problems have also been reported (diarrhoea).

Initially put aside as a forbidden substance (for supposed diuretic action), glycerol has recently been rehabilitated (September 1997) and removed from the list of forbidden substances by the International Olympic Committee.

 

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

Average content	100g	1 cap/measure ( 8 cc, 10g)
Energy	240 kcal (1000 kJ)	24 kcal (100 kJ)
Protein (Nx6,25)	0	0
Carbohydrates	0	0
Fats	0	0
Glycerol	100 g	10 g

Net weight 625 g (500 cc)