What is it about?
This position paper sets out current guidelines for the type, quantity and timing of carbohydrate intake in sport. Athletes performing prolonged endurance or intermittent high-intensity exercise should include a high proportion of carbohydrates in their daily diet, the individual amount depending on their body weight and the extent of physical activity. During prolonged intense exercise, performance may be improved by consuming an adequate quantity of carbohydrates. In addition, following a long period of intensive physical activity, rapid post-exercise intake of carbohydrates can help replenish carbohydrate stores more quickly.
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Why is it important?
Carbohydrates are an important source of energy during physical exercise. Carbohydrates lead to a higher energy yield and higher energy flux per liter of oxygen than the oxidation of fatty acids. However, the storage capacity for carbohydrates in liver and muscles is limited.
Perspectives
The supply of carbohydrates is cornerstone for athletes. Besides formulating recommendations for carbohydrate consumption in the basic diet and during training/competition, the position paper also addresses the significance of “carbohydrate loading” in (ultra) endurance sports, the glycemic index, and training without prior intake of carbohydrates.
Alexandra Schek
University of Giessen, Germany
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Position of the working group sports nutrition of the German Nutrition Society (DGE): carbohydrates in sports nutrition, German Journal of Sports Medicine, September 2020, Deutsche Zeitschrift Fur Sportmedizin,
DOI: 10.5960/dzsm.2020.456.
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