This randomized, double-blind, crossover study evaluated the effects of a carbohydrate mouth rinse (CHOMR) on psychophysiological responses, kinematic variables, and technical actions during 4-a-side small-sided soccer games (SSGs). The investigation targeted adolescent male players to determine whether CHOMR alters perception, game-related technical performance, or movement profiles compared with a placebo (PLA).
Sixteen male soccer players participated (age 15 ± 1 years; height 172.6 ± 7.0 cm; body mass 57.8 ± 7.9 kg). The trial used a randomized, crossover, double-blind design: each participant completed two 4-a-side SSG sessions separated by one week, receiving CHOMR in one session and PLA in the other. Trial classification reported by the authors was a randomized controlled trial (PMID: 42677822; DOI: 10.1080/15502783.2026.2726524).
Players completed standard 4-a-side SSGs under each experimental condition (CHOMR vs PLA). The exact CHOMR formulation, rinse timing, volume, duration, and placebo composition were not detailed in the abstract and therefore are not reported here. Measurements were taken during each SSG to compare responses between conditions.
The study assessed a broad set of outcomes grouped into psychophysiological responses, kinematic variables, and technical actions:
The abstract reports statistical comparisons between CHOMR and PLA for these outcomes.
Compared with placebo, CHOMR produced a statistically significant increase in RPE (p = 0.025, g = 0.86), indicating higher perceived exertion during the SSGs. Conversely, CHOMR was associated with significantly lower VAS scores for perceived mental fatigue (p = 0.010, g = -0.71). There were no significant differences between CHOMR and PLA for enjoyment or for mood-state measures as reported in the abstract.
Heart rate metrics—HRmean, %HR, and HRmax—did not differ significantly between conditions (p > 0.05), indicating no detectable effect of CHOMR on these cardiovascular load indicators in these SSGs.
The CHOMR condition demonstrated selective improvements in several technical actions when compared with PLA. Specifically, the number of interceptions, successful tackles, unsuccessful tackles, unsuccessful shots, and goals were significantly higher under CHOMR (p < 0.05; effect sizes reported as g = 0.96–2.02). In contrast, the PLA condition had significantly higher values for blocks. There were no significant between-condition differences for successful passes, unsuccessful passes, or successful shots (p > 0.05).
Kinematic profiles were not significantly altered by CHOMR. Measures that showed no statistical difference between CHOMR and PLA included total distance (TD), high-speed running distance (HSRD), average metabolic power (AMP), high metabolic load distance (HMLD), sprint distance (SD), acceleration (ACC), and deceleration (DEC) (p > 0.05). Heart rate variables also showed no meaningful changes between conditions as noted above.
The authors conclude that CHOMR may reduce perceived mental fatigue (lower VAS) and selectively enhance certain technical actions during 4-a-side SSGs, while concurrently eliciting higher perceived exertion (RPE) and producing no detectable changes in kinematic variables or heart rate. These results suggest CHOMR could influence subjective perception and specific aspects of game performance without altering objective movement demands in adolescent SSG contexts.
Keywords provided by the authors: Carbohydrate mouth rinse; game performance; game-based training; performance analysis; psychophysiological. Trial identifiers in the abstract include PMID 42677822 and DOI 10.1080/15502783.2026.2726524.
Note: Details not reported in the abstract—such as the exact CHOMR composition, rinse protocol, blinding verification, or full statistical tables—are not available in the source abstract and therefore are not included here.