ABSTRACT
At the beginning of each heavy training season, serious athletes should increase their intake of proteins by almost 20-30%.
86 A.E. Shamoo, W.H. Baugher, and RM. Germeroth
This increased protein intake will compensate for the immediate need to increase muscle mass, and other amino acid-requiring proteins such as red blood cells and myoglobin (the oxygen carrier in muscle). As we have mentioned earlier, it has been observed that prolonged exercise causes protein breakdown when carbohydrate reserves are low. Therefore, an athlete should have an abundance of glycogen stores in the muscles in order to prevent muscle wastage and to maintain peak performance levels. Glycogen stores are replenished by the intake of a sufficient amount of carbohydrates.
