Question

Develop a rationale for carbohydrate supplementation during exercise. Write about how it may help prolong exercise performance

Answer 1

During digestion, Carbohydrates are instantly converted into glucose & fructose, thus providing instant energy to the body.

Excess carbohydrate is converted into fat & stored in the body for future use. During exercise the lactic acid is generated causing muscle fatigue.

The intake of carbohydrate supplementation during exercise assists in the onset of muscle fatigue. This eventually helps in improvement in the course of prolonged exercise performance (which is caused by greater carbohydrate oxidation and achieving high glucose concentration for better performance during exercise).

Higher carbohydrate intake should be intake cautiously as excessive intake of carbohydrate during prolonged exercise can cause some health related issues. Thus appropriate amount of carbohydrate should be dosage as per the person doing exercise, his body weight, amount of exercise being done, etc.

Excess carbohydrate can cause gastrointestinal disorder so it is important to have a balance of the intake of carbohydrate.