Carbo loading and tapering (part 2)
AS WE have learned, there are three basic food groups: fats, carbohydrates and proteins. However, when considering these food groups as potential energy reserve or stamina enhancers for a competitor/athlete in need of an immediate increase in endurance, although some of the food groups become not as significant as the others.
Proteins for instance, can be excluded from the list of immediate energy sources since they will, for all intents and purposes, only be used as energy when all other energy sources in the body have been depleted. Unless large amounts of protein are ingested, they will be held back by the body and used to build up or rebuild muscles and tissue. Proteins are indispensable in rebuild-
ing muscles during the taper period. Fats, however, can more readily be utilized as an energy source; in fact fats produce twice the energy per gram as carbohydrates do, but fats require more oxygen to enable the body to break them during exertion, thus they are not as preferable source of energy than carbohydrates. In fact, it has been conclusively shown that a diet high in fats and low in carbohydrates produces fatigue much more quickly.
On the other hand, known to be a reliable source of energy or the body’s fuel is carbohydrates which can work more with lesser oxygen than fats, and increase overall muscular efficiency on a high carbohydrate regimen. Carbohydrates are broken down by the body into other substances; among these is glucose.
Either the body puts glucose to use by making use of it for immediate energy needs, or reserves the substance for later use by converting it to glycogen which can be stored. The greater the body’s endurance and by eating meals high in carbohydrates preparatory to competitions, an athlete can increase the likelihood that those energy stored can be used when he really needs it. Just think of the stamina we can posses if we could store a greater amount of carbohydrates.
Further, optimum results can be attained from workout taper if accompanied by dietary changes in accordance with those specified by the carboloading program; first restock depleted energy stores, and second, allow the body to rest and rebuild.