Following an application from the British Specialist Nutrition Association Ltd, submitted for authorisation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of the United Kingdom, the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to carbohydrate solutions and maintenance of physical performance during endurance exercise. The food, which is proposed by the applicant to be the subject of the health claim, is “carbohydrate solutions including sports ‘gels’ (to be consumed with water) which will either be able to maintain endurance performance for longer or improve performance relative to plain water or water/electrolyte placebo”. The Panel notes that, whereas carbohydrate solutions, the food which is the subject of the health claim, and one of the proposed comparators, water, are sufficiently characterised, no specifications have been provided for the other comparator, “water/electrolyte placebo”. Therefore, the Panel considers that a cause and effect relationship between the consumption of carbohydrate solutions and maintenance of physical performance during endurance exercise as compared to “water–electrolyte solutions” cannot be established on the basis of the information provided. Maintenance of physical performance during endurance exercise is a beneficial physiological effect. Three meta-analyses of human intervention studies were provided by the applicant for the scientific substantiation of this health claim. The Panel considers that these meta-analyses cannot be used to substantiate a claim on the effect of carbohydrate solutions on the maintenance of physical performance during endurance exercise as compared to water. The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of carbohydrate solutions and maintenance of physical performance during endurance exercise as compared to water.