Question

A pre-competition meal or snack providing 1 to 4 g of carbohydrate per kilogram of body weight should be consumed approximately ________ before competing.

a) 15 minutes
b) 1 hour
c) 3-4 hours
d) 12-24 hours

Answer 1

A pre-competition meal or snack providing 1 to 4 g of carbohydrate per kilogram of body weight should be consumed approximately 3-4 hours before competing.

Step-by-step explanation:

A pre-competition meal or snack providing 1 to 4 g of carbohydrate per kilogram of body weight should be consumed approximately 3-4 hours before competing. This timing allows enough time for digestion and absorption of the carbohydrates, ensuring that they are available as energy during the competition. Eating pasta the night before a competition and simple sugars a few hours before the competition is a common strategy because pasta provides a good source of complex carbohydrates, which release energy slowly, while simple sugars can be quickly digested and provide a quick source of energy. Eating pasta right before the competition may interfere with digestion and cause discomfort, while consuming a candy bar the night before may not provide sufficient carbohydrates for sustained energy.