The effect of exercise-induced hypoglycemia on selective measures of central nervous system function in elite cyclists

Exercise science literature is replete with citations regarding the study of the exercise-induced hypoglycemic effects on the periphery and how to optimally manage or prevent these effects. Equally prominent is the myriad of research associated with insulin-induced hypoglycemic effects on brain function, labeled "neuroglycopenia" when dysfunctional. Although it might be expected that exercise-induced hypoglycemia would produce similar central nervous system (CNS) changes as does insulin-induced hypoglycemia, this avenue of study has not been scientifically tested. Since performance of elite endurance athletes often depends upon efficient and integrative cognitive functioning, it is important to not only understand the possible effects of exercise-induced hypoglycemia, but also to prevent them.;There are a number of neurophysiological measures of CNS function that have been associated with neuroglycopenia. This study focused on six such measures as tested in an endurance exercise setting. Six elite cyclists exercised at ;This study indicates that even mild hypoglycemia produced by prolonged, intense exercise stress can result in a compromise of euglycemic brain function. If a decrease in available metabolic substrate negatively affects cognitive processing, it is important to prevent such effects through the maintenance of blood glucose concentration with CHO supplementation during exercise.