I have used Glycerol infrequently during very long runs in very hot weather. It seems to help especially on trail runs where there is little water. A friend just told me that it is now banned in all USAT events. Does anyone know if that is the case. I have not read anything to that effect but it would be important to get out there since I believe that many ultra endurance competitors use it. (Two individuals who I train with use it for IM’s and longer ultra events in very hot weather.)
I don’t think that USAT sets its own list of banned substances. It was allowed in Beijing for instance. Besides, this is what was discussed at a recent Webinar organized by USAT:
Topic: Sport Performance and the Use of Legal Ergogenic Aids
When: Tuesday, April 27th, 2010
Time: 4 p.m. MST
Where to Register: www.usatriathlon.org
This talk will review the use and application of 6 supplements that are currently very popular in sports:
- Sodium Citrate
- Creatine
- Glycerol
- Amino Acids
- Beta-Alanine
- Caffeine
The rationale behind how these supplements can be used to enhance endurance performance will be reviewed. Application of these supplements to training and competition will be utilized to help illustrate the potential effects of these ergogenic aids.
WADA banned it, not USAT.
Here is an article from the Hammer Nutrition website giving reasons for them discontinuing liquid endurance, their glycerol formulation.
LIQUID ENDURANCE NO LONGER AVAILABLE By Steve Born
Due to recently updated World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) codes, glycerol—the primary component in Liquid Endurance—is now prohibited. The rationale for banning this substance is because, while glycerol is a natural metabolite generated both from exogenous & endogenous sources, WADA considers it to be a plasma expander, thus making it a possible drug-masking agent.
Glycerol is a precursor during synthesis of triacylglycerols (a glyceride in which the glycerol is esterified with three fatty acids) and phospholipids (fat derivatives in which one fatty acid has been replaced by a phosphate group and one of several nitrogen-containing molecules) in the liver and adipose tissue. When the body uses stored fat as a source of energy, glycerol and fatty acids are released into the bloodstream. The glycerol component can be converted to glucose by the liver and provides energy for cellular metabolism.
Glycerol is the primary component in the Liquid Endurance formula. It is a physiologically well-tolerated, naturally produced metabolite of fatty-acid oxidation. The reason why glycerol loading works so well is that it absorbs rapidly when taken with water or sports drinks, increasing the water content in blood, cells, and extracellular spaces. All three of these compartments contribute to sweat volume, resulting in a significant increase in cooling efficiency during prolonged exercise. Glycerol is metabolized by the cells into a substance called dihydroxyacetone phosphate, which is a normal metabolic by-product found in the glucose-for-energy pathway. Glycerol also has an important role in the absorption of l-carnitine, another component in the Liquid Endurance formula.
We are saddened to hear of WADA’s decision to ban glycerol, especially without setting specific upper-level measurable limits as has been done with caffeine, another substance that is banned when limits exceed WADA standards. However, our products must comply with WADA standards; therefore, Liquid Endurance—Hammer Nutrition’s heat tolerance formula—will no longer be available.
For more information about the 2010 WADA list of prohibited substances (PDF).
HGH or EPO are one thing, but those 6 you listed are another. Amino acids are present is almost everything you eat, creatine is very commonly used to stimulate muscle recovery and is naturally produced by the body, and caffeine - give me a break. It’s one thing to keep athletes clean, but banning a cup of coffee is ridiculous.
Huh? You’re answering to me??
Thanks - very helpful. If glycerol is on WADA’s list then I assume it is now prohibited in all USAT events.
Weird given the webinar they had…
Anyway: http://www.usatriathlon.org/resources/anti-doping-education
WADA list available. Interestingly, glycerol is indeed listed, but as a masking agent.