Role of carbohydrate in physical activity

Carbohydrate is an essential fuel for prolonged, strenuous exercise, althou gh the carbohydrate stores of the body are limited. Research studies have p rovided evidence that carbohydrate depletion is associated with fatigue, de crease in exercise intensity, and even exercise cessation. With the appropr iate diet and exercise protocol, however, the carbohydrate stores of the bo dy can be substantially increased and exercise performance improved by carb ohydrate supplementation before and during exercise. In this article, the r ole of carbohydrate supplementation for increasing carbohydrate stores befo re exercise, maintaining blood glucose during exercise, and the rapid reple nishment of the carbohydrate stores after exercise are discussed. Considere d in the discussion are the types, amounts and forms of carbohydrate supple ments that are most effective, and the most appropriate times for their ing estion.