FAT BURNING DURING EXERCISE - CAN ERGOGENICS CHANGE THE BALANCE

Endurance athletes and dieters are eager to burn more fat during exerc ise; athletes hope to conserve carbohydrate stores, while dieters wish to decrease fat stores, This article briefly reviews the role of fat as an energy source for physical activity, discusses how exercise inte nsity and duration affect fat and carbohydrate metabolism, and assesse s the nutrition strategies athletes are most likely to use in attempts to promote fat burning during exercise: caffeine ingestion, L-carniti ne supplements, medium-chain triglyceride supplements, and high-fat di ets. Of this group, caffeine ingestion is the only strategy scientific ally proven to enhance athletic performance.