%A Leckey,Jill J. %A Ross,Megan L. %A Quod,Marc %A Hawley,John A. %A Burke,Louise M. %D 2017 %J Frontiers in Physiology %C %F %G English %K Ketone ester,Cycling,time-trial,performance,Ketones %Q %R 10.3389/fphys.2017.00806 %W %L %M %P %7 %8 2017-October-23 %9 Original Research %+ Louise M. Burke,Centre for Exercise and Nutrition, Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University,Australia,Louise.burke@acu.edu.au %+ Louise M. Burke,Sports Nutrition, Australian Institute of Sport,Australia,Louise.burke@acu.edu.au %# %! Ketone diester ingestion impairs cycling time trial performance %* %< %T Ketone Diester Ingestion Impairs Time-Trial Performance in Professional Cyclists %U https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2017.00806 %V 8 %0 JOURNAL ARTICLE %@ 1664-042X %X We investigated the effect of pre- “race” ingestion of a 1,3-butanediol acetoacetate diester on blood ketone concentration, substrate metabolism and performance of a cycling time trial (TT) in professional cyclists. In a randomized cross-over design, 10 elite male cyclists completed a ~31 km laboratory-based TT on a cycling ergometer programmed to simulate the 2017 World Road Cycling Championships course. Cyclists consumed a standardized meal [2 g/kg body mass (BM) carbohydrate (CHO)] the evening prior to a trial day and a CHO breakfast (2 g/kg BM CHO) with 200 mg caffeine on the morning of a trial day. Cyclists were randomized to consume either the ketone diester (2 × 250 mg/kg) or a placebo drink, followed immediately by 200 mL diet cola, given ~ 30 min before and immediately prior to commencing a 20 min incremental warm-up. Blood samples were collected prior to and during the warm-up, pre- and post- TT and at regular intervals after the TT. Urine samples were collected pre- and post- warm-up, immediately post TT and 60 min post TT. Pre-exercise ingestion of the diester resulted in a 2 ± 1% impairment in TT performance that was associated with gut discomfort and higher perception of effort. Serum β-hydroxybutyrate, serum acetoacetate, and urine ketone concentrations increased from rest following ketone ingestion and were higher than placebo throughout the trial. Ketone ingestion induces hyperketonemia in elite professional cyclists when in a carbohydrate fed state, and impairs performance of a cycling TT lasting ~50 min.