More Power through pastaAnyone who trains a lot and wants to be successful at sports needs adequate energy. Carbohydrates are the ideal fitness food for all athletes, because they give them the necessary endurance. Carbohydrates are stored in the form of glycogen in the muscles and liver and can provide fast energy in case of increased physical activity. Of special interest to athletes is the fact that the generation of energy from glycogen is four times as fast as energy obtained by burning fat and also requires less oxygen. When an athlete takes the required energy from his carbohydrate store, he can perform better and faster under high stress. Therefore, the most important rule for any competition is: Plenty of carbohydrates and water before, during and after sports.
The method of supercompensation
But the body’s carbohydrate stores are very limited and have to be refilled constantly. That is why athletes always strive to fill them by eating optimally. After intensive endurance training – during which the glycogen stores are completely emptied – the muscles can store more glycogen than before. This method, known as supercompensation, is used intensively by top athletes. In order for the method to work, the meal must be made up of at least 60% carbohydrates.
