Carbohydrate Loading Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Carbohydrate Loading - Assignment Example Under normal circumstances the energy requirement of the body is met by carbohydrate and fats however, for athletes undergoing strenuous training the main source of energy is carbohydrates which help in the working out of muscles. An athlete is at the peak of his performance as long as his body has enough carbohydrate to supply to his muscles in use. Once this storage of carbohydrates depletes and is completely exhausted, the body starts to use up the fats to provide energy. Therefore, it is crucial for athletes, especially those who are engaged in strenuous sports like marathon, to have enough carbohydrate storage during the entire run and this is where carbohydrate loading comes in. Glycogen Supercompensation is the scientific terminology for Carbohydrate Loading. It is the process through which the glycogen level in the muscles maybe increased by 60% through proper training and diet. Thus, the increased levels of glycogen reserves in the muscles mean that the athlete can now perform his best for a longer period of time without fatiguing his muscles and performing poorly. All carbohydrate loading methods have two stages- Carbohydrate depletion stage and Carbohydrate replenishment stage. I have selected the second method of carbohydrate loading and I shall provide a day-to-day guide. This method stretches over a week and must be started 1 week before the sports event. Like all other methods, this method also has two stages, i.e. the depletion of carbohydrates during which glycogen synthesizing enzymes are stimulated and the increasing of glycogen in particular muscles. It must be remembered that carbohydrate foods with low glycemic index must be taken because they stimulate the enzyme-glycogen synthetase, which is responsible for glycogen storage. Hydrating the body is important because for each gram of stored glycogen there must be 3-4grams of stored water. Two