Carbohydrate Loading

Carbohydrate Loading

Describe the role of carbohydrates in an athlete’s diet:

Carbohydrates are the main fuel an athlete uses during exercise. Carbohydrates can be found in the body in two different forms, complex sugars and simple sugars. Simple sugars are either one, two, or at most three units of sugar linked together in single molecules. They are identified easily by their sweet taste. However, complex sugars are high in fibre and cellulose. They are found in vegetable foods and help to lower the chances for hypertension, cancer, arthritis and diabetes.

According to Dr. Robert J. Reber at www.urbanext.uiuc.edu carbohydrate is a crucial fuel for exercise. The body makes its own carbohydrate store, known as glycogen, which is stored away in the liver and muscles. Glycogen is the body's fuel of choice for any exercise more intense than a gentle jog. This is because it can be broken down to provide energy more quickly than fat (the body's other major energy store). However, ...