In an effort to determine the effects of 5 (CHO-5), 6 (CHO-6), and 7.5 (CHO-7.5) percent carbohydrate solutions on gastric emptying and performance, 8 trained male cyclists performed 4 trials of intermittent (7- x ;12-min bout) cycling at 70% VO2max. A final 12-min self-paced "performance" ride was performed on an isokinetic ergometer (Fitron) interfaced with a computer to provide total work output. A water placebo (WP) was used as a control. Each 12-min ride was followed by 3-min rest, during which a drink was consumed (8.5 ml.kg-1; mean total = 1,336 ml.2 h-1). Blood samples were taken at 0, 25, 55, 85, and 115 min for blood glucose analysis. Following the performance ride, gastric residue was obtained by intubation and aspiration. Of the original 1,336 ml ingested during each trial, the volumes emptied by the stomach for the four trials were 1,306 +/- 76, 1,262 +/- 82, 1,288 +/- 75, and 1,278 +/- 77 ml (+/- SE) for WP, CHO-5, CHO-6, and CHO-7.5, respectively. Only the volume in the CHO-5 trial was significantly different from WP. The performance data showed that in all of the CHO trials, significantly more work was produced compared to the WP trial (CHO-5 = 1.98 +/- 0.09 x 10(5) Nm vs WP = 1.83 +/- 0.11 x 10(5) Nm). There were no significant differences in performance between any of the CHO trials.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)