Final answer:
Carbohydrate loading is most beneficial for cross country running because it provides sustained energy from stored glycogen, which is crucial for endurance-based activities. This method prevents early fatigue and allows athletes to maintain high performance throughout the duration of the event.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of athletic events, carbohydrate loading would be most beneficial for an event that requires sustained energy over an extended period of time. Among the choices given, c. Cross country running is the event where carbohydrate loading would be most advantageous. This is because cross country running is a prolonged, endurance-based activity where the body requires a continuous supply of energy. Carbohydrate loading maximizes the storage of glycogen in the muscles and the liver thereby providing a larger energy reserve that can be quickly mobilized during the event to maintain a high level of performance.
Carbohydrates which include foods like bread, pasta and potatoes, are easily digested and converted to glucose and subsequently to glycogen, which is stored in the body. During endurance activities like cross country running, the stored glycogen is used to maintain glucose levels in the blood, providing the muscles with the energy they need to perform. Not only does this strategy prevent early fatigue, but it also sustains athletic performance over the duration of the activity.