Effects of carbohydrate mouth rinse on psychophysiological responses, kinematic variables and technical actions during small-sided soccer games

Gorgulu, Erdinc and Soylu, Yusuf and Arslan, Ersan and Kilit, Bulent and Clarke, Neil (2026) Effects of carbohydrate mouth rinse on psychophysiological responses, kinematic variables and technical actions during small-sided soccer games. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 23 (1). ISSN 1550-2783

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Abstract

Background

This study investigated the effects of carbohydrate mouth rinsing (CHOMR) on various psychophysiological, kinematic, and technical actions during 4-a-side small-sided soccer games (SSGs).

Methods

In a randomized, crossover, double-blind design, 16 young male soccer players (age: 15 ± 1 years; height: 172.6 ± 7.0 cm; body mass: 57.8 ± 7.9 kg) participated in two 4-a-side SSGs separated by one week following either CHOMR or placebo (PLA). During each SSGs, heart rate (HRmean, %HR, and HRmax), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), enjoyment, visual analogue scale (VAS) to perceived mental fatigue, mood states, total distance (TD), high-speed running distance (HSRD), average metabolic power (AMP), high metabolic load distance (HMLD), sprint distance (SD), acceleration (ACC), deceleration (DEC), and technical actions (e.g. passing, tackling, shooting, and interceptions) were assessed.

Results

Compared with PLA, CHOMR resulted in significantly higher RPE (p = 0.025, g = 0.86) and significantly lower VAS scores (p = 0.010, g = –0.71). In addition, the CHOMR condition showed significantly higher values for interceptions, successful tackles, unsuccessful tackles, unsuccessful shots, and goals (p < 0.05, g = 0.96–2.02), whereas block values were significantly higher in the PLA condition. There were no statistically significant differences in HRmean, %HR, HRmax, enjoyment, TD, HSRD, AMP, HMLD, SD, ACC, DEC, successful passes, unsuccessful passes, successful shots, or mood states between the conditions (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

The current study findings suggest that CHOMR may enhance selected technical actions and lower VAS scores during 4-a-side SSGs, although it was also associated with higher RPE and did not alter the kinematic responses. In conclusion, CHOMR was associated with higher RPE, lower mental fatigue, and selective improvements in technical actions, with no significant effects on kinematic variables or HR.

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number:	10.1080/15502783.2026.2726524
Dates:	Date Event 4 August 2026 Accepted 1 September 2026 Published Online
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Game-based training, Carbohydrate mouth rinse, Game performance, Psychophysiological, Performance analysis
Subjects:	CAH03 - biological and sport sciences > CAH03-02 - sport and exercise sciences > CAH03-02-01 - sport and exercise sciences
Divisions:	Life and Health Sciences > Life and Sports Sciences
Depositing User:	Gemma Tonks
Date Deposited:	07 Sep 2026 12:17
Last Modified:	07 Sep 2026 12:17
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/17229

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