Change in taste sensitivity to sucrose due to physical fatigue

Abstract

Many athletes experience a change in taste sensitivity due to physical fatigue. Nutrition is an important factor during training and recovery. Previous reports have described the ideal alimentation for athletes, however, the alimentation appropriate for physical fatigue has not been investigated. As a part of gustation research aimed at formulating an ideal alimentation for fatigue, we investigated the relationship between fatigue and taste sensitivity to sweet substances. Athletes were asked to perform a half marathon to induce physical fatigue. We used a triangle test to determine the detection threshold for sucrose solutions before and after running. The results revealed that the threshold decreased after the half marathon. Thus, we confirmed that taste sensitivity to sweetness increased as a consequence of physical fatigue. To avoid either a lack or excess in nutrient intake during post-exercise physical fatigue, an alimentation regime that takes into consideration this change in taste sense is necessary.