Question

Your friend is on the cross country running team. They tell you they need to carboload ahead of their big race in a couple of days as they want to store extra energy in their muscles to be able to use quickly during their race.

a. This is unnecessary; carboloading is a myth.
b. Protein-loading is a better strategy.
c. Carboloading is a valid strategy for endurance athletes.
d. Hydration is more important than carboloading.

Answer 1

Carboloading is a beneficial strategy for endurance athletes, allowing for optimal glycogen storage in muscles, which provides a ready source of energy during extended physical activity.

Step-by-step explanation:

Carboloading is a valid strategy for endurance athletes like cross country runners. This eating strategy provides an advantage by maximizing the storage of glycogen in the muscles, which is an energy reserve that can be quickly mobilized during the race. During the days leading up to an event, consuming a diet high in carbohydrates allows for excess glucose to be stored as glycogen in liver and muscle tissue, thereby increasing the amount of available energy during prolonged exertion. The practice of consuming complex carbohydrates, such as pasta, the night before a competition and simple sugars a few hours before the event aligns with the optimal utilization of glucose for energy by the body.