Final answer:
Consuming a high carbohydrate diet leads to higher glycogen stores and slower rate of glycogen breakdown during running, while a low carbohydrate diet leads to lower glycogen stores and faster rate of glycogen breakdown during running.
Step-by-step explanation:
When elite runners are divided into two groups - one consuming a high carbohydrate diet and the other consuming a low carbohydrate diet - the rate of glycogen breakdown during running will be affected differently for each group. The group consuming a high carbohydrate diet will have higher glycogen stores in the liver and muscles due to the excess glucose being converted into glycogen. This means they will have a greater supply of glycogen to draw on during running, leading to a slower rate of glycogen breakdown. On the other hand, the group consuming a low carbohydrate diet will have lower glycogen stores, as their diet does not provide enough glucose to replenish glycogen effectively. As a result, they will experience a faster rate of glycogen breakdown during running.