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Nutrition And Macronutrients : Carbohydrates

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Nutrition and Macronutrients:
Carbohydrates:
Carbohydrate, in the form of glucose, is the preferred fuel for working muscles. It is particularly important during high intensity activity but whatever exercise is performed some carbohydrate will be used. Glucose is stored in the muscles and liver as a substance known as glycogen and is rapidly converted back to glucose when is it required. The capacity for glycogen storage is limited - a 70kg individual has glycogen reserves of approximately 400g. Once these stores have been used, the ability to perform exercise is reduced.
In order to maximise the body 's glycogen stores, athletes should habitually consume a high carbohydrate diet, contributing approximately 60% to 70% of total energy, equivalent to 6g to 10g carbohydrate/kg body weight/day. This is about 5-15% greater than the level of carbohydrate recommended for the general population. Although complex carbohydrates such as cereals, pasta and bread are generally recommended in preference to simple sugars, a diet providing 70% of energy as complex carbohydrate can be excessively bulky. Moreover, there may be situations, for example, immediately post-exercise, where foods containing complex carbohydrate are not suitable. The use of food and drink containing simple sugars e.g. jam or honey may therefore be necessary on occasion.
Protein:
Current guidelines suggest that, when compared with the general population, the daily protein requirements of individuals involved in

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