ABSTRACT
In their desire to succeed, athletes have resorted to ways of boosting performance by using physiological, nutritional and pharmacological agents. In order to be recognized as an ergogenic aid, the nutritional product should have a recognized theoretical effect. Consequently, the likely benefits of such an aid require examination of the likely causes of fatigue during exercise and whether these are positively influenced by the product ingested. In order to be recognized as an ergogenic aid, the nutritional product should have a recognized theoretical effect. Consequently, the likely benefits of such an aid require examination of the likely causes of fatigue during exercise and whether these are positively influenced by the product ingested. As with factors likely to cause fatigue during high-intensity exercise, those concerned with prolonged exercise are complex and interrelated. The major physiological factors are those of depletion of muscle and liver glycogen stores, with the latter resulting in hypoglycemia, as well as overheating due to dehydration.
