Marathon Runners Health

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Marathon runners undertake intense training and require significant amounts of carbohydrates for energy. Carbohydrates are our first source of fuel broken down to form ATP for exercise. It is this energy that is used for muscle contraction, hence carbohydrates are an excellent fuel for exercise consisting of a long duration and high intensity. The body stores carbohydrates as glycogen in the muscles and liver, however its storage capacity is limited. By an athlete’s diet being high in carbohydrates, fatigue during the event is delayed. Carbohydrates are found in foods such as pasta, fruit, rice, cereals, bread and sugar. They can be categorised as High GI (those easily and quickly absorbed to provide immediate energy availability) or Low GI (those that can provide a sustained level of energy) and each has their place in the preparation for an athletic event. During the digestion process for each of these the carbohydrates are broken down into blood glucose and glycogen. For an extreme endurance event such as the marathon, an athlete should look to consume between 11 and 12 grams of carbohydrates per kilo of their body weight and make up about 55% of their diet. For example: An athlete that weighs 60 kg 60x11= 660g OR 60x12= 720g Therefore a marathon athlete weighing 60kg needs to consume between 660-720g of carbohydrates in their diet. Carbohydrates are the most readily available source of energy. They are digested and absorbed faster than fats and proteins. By a marathon athlete taking less than their recommended carbohydrate intake, they may feel sore and tired and as a consequence they will not be able to perform at their peak. Fats provide twice the amount of kilojoules than carbohydrates and therefore supply twice as much ATP. Fats are a high and long lasting energy source. Fats spare carbohydrates and even protein, so that the protein

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