Tuesday, 10 January 2012

A guide for Carbohydrate intake while training

How many carbohydrates should I be consuming if I am training or competing in an event?
Its a question many athletes and sports people often ask.  Simply put, it depends on the frequency and time you are training.
With out the correct intake of "carbs" it can seriously hinder your performance. 
If the body doesn't get enough carbohydrate, it basically starts to shut down. Carbohydrates are converted to glucose which is used by your body and brain as fuel. Protein helps build muscle - it does not fuel your brain. It's like putting all kinds of oil in a car but no gas.
Your cognitive functions will decrease, you'll feel tired and headachey, and possibly even nauseous.
As a guideline please see table below

Situation                                      Recommended carb intake

Daily refuelling needs for training
Programs less than 60-90min/day
Or low intensity exercise
Daily intake of 5-7g per kg of your body weight
Daily refuelling needs for training
Programs greater than 90-120mins/day
Daily intake of 7-10g per kg of your body weight
Daily refuelling for athletes undertaking extreme
Exercise program of 6-8hrs per day(cycling etc)
Daily intake of 10-12+g per kg of your body weight
Carbohydrate loading for endurance and ultra endurance events
Daily intake of 7-10g per kg of your body weight
Pre event meal
Meal eaten 1-4 hrs pre competition 1-4g/kg
Body weight
Carbohydrate intake during training sessions and competition events greater than 1 hr
1g/min or 30-60 g/hour
Rapid recovery after training session or multi day
Competition, especially when there is less than 8 hrs until next session
Intake of 1-1.5g/kg of BW for every hour in the early stages of recovery after exercise, contributing to a total intake of 6-10g/kg of BW over 24 hrs

Source Australian institute of sport
 collaroy@stepintolife.com

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