Before making changes in foods and fluids, athletes rightly ask, "What's in it for me?" Nutrition Goals are presented for each time period (pre-exercise, during exercise, and recovery). Applications address situations faced by athletes.
Goals:
Energy supplies are addressed in Energy: How and Where is it Stored? Muscle and liver glycogen stores are relatively small (~2,000 kcal.) Energy for high intensity physical activity is supplied by muscle glycogen. Energy for the brain is supplied by glucose from the blood. Blood glucose is replenished from liver glycogen stores. During sleep, breakdown of liver glycogen and release of glucose into the blood keeps blood glucose levels normal. By morning liver glycogen levels are low. Eating carbohydrate-containing foods before exercise refills liver glycogen stores and can "top off" muscle glycogen stores.
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