| What was the Cycling Weekly test designed to show? |
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The Cycling Weekly test was designed to investigate if a scientific nutritional strategy based around the latest developments in sports nutrition (High5 2:1 fructose drinks containing caffeine), would be more effective than riders following their current nutritional strategy in which they consumed whatever they normally would during an event of this type. The research was also set up to prove / disprove High5’s performance claims for it’s advanced next generation 2:1 High fructose drinks. |
| What were test subjects required to do? |
The test subjects were required to complete the same computer controlled turbo trainer ride on two different days. The two days of testing would be separated by three weeks to allow the test subjects to fully recover. Each day of testing was split into two parts. Part one of the test: involved either a 40 or 50 mile ride at moderate intensity lasting between 2 and 2½ hours. This would be 4 or 5 laps of a given course depending on participants expected average pace. The effort level in this part of the test would be the same on both days of testing. Part two of the test: was a 40 mile time trial to be ridden as quickly as possible. This would be 4 laps of the same course as part 1. During one of the test days, subjects were asked to consume their own brand of nutrition throughout the event as they would normally. On the other test day, subjects were asked to follow a scientific strategy using High5 products. This strategy is set out in the Road Cycling High5 Race Faster Guide and involved:
A high accuracy computerised turbo trainer (Computrainer) controlled each rider’s effort and continuously logged time, speed and power output. |
| Was the Cycling Weekly test relevant to performance the real World? |
Yes the test was intended to simulate a Cyclo Sportive, MTB Marathon or a stage race where a rider typically starts off at an even tempo then pushes harder in the last 90 minutes of the event. The turbo trainer software displays a real-life riding situation on the computer screen. With 8 subjects testing at one time this simulated the “excitement” felt at a real event. The ambient temperature was similar to a warm summer’s day in the UK (22°C / 71°F). This test was as close to real world conditions as possible. NB: when riding in cooler conditions alternate feeding guidelines to achieve the same performance gains are detailed in the High5 Race Faster Guides (i.e. drinking smaller amounts combined with taking gels etc). Click here to download the High5 Race Faster Guide for Road Cycling, Triathlon or MTB. |
| Was the test fair? |
The test was a randomised and a counter-balanced cross over design. In plain English this means that the subjects were compared with themselves not someone else (cross over), that they didn’t all do the tests in the same order (randomised) and that the same number did the High5 strategy first as did their own strategy first (counter-balanced). |
| How many subjects were involved in the test? |
26 volunteers completed the two tests. This is considered to be a relatively large number of subjects for a test of this type. The test subjects were experienced riders from a wide range of abilities This means that the results are relevant to both elite level competitors and a non-competitive riders looking to ride stronger and longer in a personal challenge such as a Cyclo’ Sportive. |
| The performance results |
On average the subjects completed the 40 mile time trial 5 minutes 45 seconds faster when using the High5 scientific strategy. Riders comments are also significant in that they felt much stronger and found the test easier and more enjoyable when using High5 guidelines. If the subjects were riding against themselves they would have been 1.82 miles (on average) ahead at the finish when using the High5 scientific nutrition strategy as compared to their current brand of products and feeding strategy. |
| The cost of speed and endurance |
The total cost of the High5 products used in the test was less than £6. This gave a 5 minute 45 second average improvement over the 40-mile time trial. By comparison, the following improvements can be gained from investing in high tech low drag bike equipment. This is based on riding at 25 miles per hour for 40 miles (Ref Peak Performance). If you ride slower than 25 miles per hour, then the benefits of aerodynamic kit are significantly lower. High5’s new generation of sports nutrition used correctly is a highly cost effectively way of going faster. Aero frame Vs standard frame (1.5 mins to 3.75 mins) |
| It’s not just about racing faster |
This test was not just about enabling riders to race faster. It’s about providing riders with more energy to enjoy their riding and to help them to finish and enjoy a personal challenge such as a longer Cyclo Sportive. Subjects reported that they felt better and had more energy when following the High5 scientific strategy. Read the test subject’s comments about how they got on during and after the test. Click here |
| It’s all on video |
For a short video of the test and comments from the test subjects click here: |
| What brand of products were used by the test subjects as part of their own strategy |
The test subjects used a wide variety of products as part of their own strategies. This included products from Science in Sport, Allsports, Nuun, Lucozade, Asda, Torq and PowerBar. No matter what brand of product you currently use, you will most likely see a substantial performance gain from using High5 products when following the Race Faster guidelines. The test subjects were quite knowledgeable. When following their own strategy they consumed a substantial amount of carbohydrate. During the scientific strategy using High5 products, the test subjects were given more than 90g of carbohydrate and they were able to absorb this as a result of the unique 2:1 fructose mix found in High5 products. |
| Did the test subjects need to pee a lot drinking so much High5 |
Although the subjects drank considerably more in the High5 part of the test, the volume of urine excreted was the same on the High5 scientific strategy, as it was during the rider’s own strategy. |
| Better hydration with High5 |
Although work rates and hence sweat rates were significantly higher in the High5 time trial, the subjects on average lost only half as much bodyweight using the High5 scientific strategy as they did using their own products / strategy. |
| Are High5’s new products “Frankenstein” products? |
High5’s new generation of 2:1 fructose (fruit sugar) sport drinks use a special carbohydrate formulation and contain the very best ingredients and real fruit flavouring to make them taste great – so you can consume large amounts of you choose. High5 products are of course drugs free. The reason that high5 products are better is that they are formulated with the very latest developments in sports science research; they have been extensively tested in the lab and the real world with athletes in competition. High5 have also developed a step-by-step guide for getting the maximum benefit from their nutrition products. This guide covers every race distance |
| Stomach problems with High5 |
No stomach problems were reported on the High5 scientific strategy even though relatively large volumes of drink were consumed. NB: 2:1 fructose drinks have been shown to cause substantially less stomach problems compared to more traditional sports drink formulations. |
| High5 products are guaranteed to let you race faster and stronger |
High5 have a range of advanced products and nutritional strategies for Cycling, MTB and Triathlon. These cover all race distances and weather conditions and can be found in the High5 Race Faster Guides. If you do not race substantially faster and stronger on High5 (no matter what brand of nutrition you may have used in the past), you will get your money back. To download the guides free of charge: click here |
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