Created for demanding training and competition, GU have released Roctane Energy Gels – an addition to the GU range with more sodium, an electrolyte that aids in hydration, and more branched-chain amino acids (leucine, valine, and isoleucine) that reduce mental fatigue and decrease muscle damage.
GU say “the amino acid beta-alanine helps promote formation of the intramuscular buffer carnosine, while ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate helps promote muscle repair.”
“The 100-calorie packets contain carbohydrates (maltodextrin and fructose) that use non-competing pathways to help maximize carbohydrate absorption and utilization while diminishing stomach distress.”
GU Roctane is available in 11 flavours including Blueberry Pomegranate, Seasalt Chocolate, Chai Latte, Cold Brew Coffee and more.
A supporting partner of the 2020 Mudgee Classic, GU will be available at the May 3 event.
GU Roctane FAQ’s
When Do I Use GU Roctane?
The gel is designed to help provide nutritional support for prolonged exercise. Users will find Roctane Energy Gel beneficial during exercise which will require extra recovery time, and where you need help with preventing fatigue, increasing concentration, focus, and decreasing perceived effort. So when you are going big – use Roctane Energy Gel. During a more typical workout where you looking mainly for good tasting, easy to consume calories with added electrolytes – use original GU Energy Gel.
How can I use Roctane Energy Gel with Roctane Energy Drink Mix?
If you already use Roctane Energy Gel, you can substitute some gel for Roctane Energy Drink Mix. This will help tailor energy intake to your needs, and provide the beneficial ingredients found in both the gel and drink. While many ingredients are similar in the two products (carbohydrates, branched chain amino acids, histidine, and caffeine) each has unique ingredients which may also help improve performance. Therefore, using both products will help provide every nutritional advantage possible to athletes who demand the best from themselves and their nutrition. For many athletes, all they may need during prolonged exercise is one 21oz bottle of Roctane drink and 1 Roctane gel per hour for 340 total calories including gels, solids and drinks.
Why does Roctane Energy Gel have the same amount of calories as original GU Energy Gel?
You find 100 calories of carbohydrates in both Roctane Energy Gel and GU Energy Gel because there’s no reason to add more. The gut can only absorb so many calories at a time during exercise, especially when most of your blood is being delivered to your hard-working muscles. Add too many calories during intense exercise and your body can’t send enough blood to your gut to digest the carbs, making your gut cramp, forcing you to slow down.
Does one Roctane Energy Gel equal two GU Energy Gels?
No. Roctane Energy Gel is designed to help provide nutritional support for prolonged exercise. The extra ingredients help combat central fatigue, promote muscle recovery, help buffer a decrease in pH from exceeding lactate threshold, and help increase muscle focus and decrease perceived effort. Two original GU Energy Gels won’t provide this extra nutritional support.
How will the added electrolytes and amino acids in Roctane Energy Gel help me in an endurance event?
Roctane contains more sodium than the original GU Energy Gel. Sodium is the main electrolyte lost in sweat, and supplementation with sodium can help prevent cramping as well as minimize the chances of hyponatremia (low blood sodium from drinking too much plain water). The amino acids in Roctane Energy Gel serve several important functions, including acting as a fuel source for working muscle, and helping promote muscle recovery following exercise. Importantly, the amino acids in Roctane Energy Gel are branched chain amino acids that have been shown to help prevent central fatigue by competing with tryptophan for transport across the blood brain barrier. So the electrolytes and amino acids in Roctane gel can help increase performance above and beyond what is possible with the original GU Energy Gel alone.
Why does Roctane Energy Gel cost more than the original GU Energy Gel?
Roctane Energy Gel provides nutritional support beyond the original GU Energy Gel to help maximize performance. In addition to what is in GU Energy Gel, Roctane Energy Gel contains more branched chain amino acids and a bit more caffeine – each of which increases our production costs.
Should I use Roctane Energy Gel differently on race-day?
No, make sure to pre-load your body with a packet or two of Roctane Energy Gel and chase with water approximately 15 minutes before the start. In fact, if you use Roctane Energy Gel on race day you should make sure to use it during training as well. Your gut adapts to digest and transport dietary carbohydrate if “trained” to do so by eating carbohydrate during your training sessions. So eat Roctane Energy Gel during training, and your gut adapts, making it easier to process the calories consumed when you really need it – during a race.
