ABSTRACT
Research has consistently demonstrated the importance of consuming adequate amounts of carbohydrate for the optimal training and performance of the endurance athlete. The amount of carbohydrate required as well as the timing of carbohydrate intake is likely as unique as the athlete. As such, recommendations for carbohydrate intakes are now made to athletes with specificity for the type of sport, the volume (i.e., intensity, duration) of training, and the athlete’s competition goals and schedule. Whether carbohydrate recommendations should also be tailored to the sex (gender) of the athlete remains a topic of great interest. The specificity of such advice could be based on potential sex-based differences in carbohydrate metabolism during exercise (see Chapter 1 for more information on sex differences in substrate utilization). Alternatively or additionally, it could take into account that women must meet their carbohydrate requirements from a different dietary framework than male athletes; for example, to choose carbohydrate-rich foods that can simultaneously address
Carbohydrate Requirements for the Female Athlete ................................................25 Updates on Carbohydrate Requirements for Athletes ..............................................26
