ridecamp@endurance.net: Re: ridecamp-d Digest V97 #277

Re: ridecamp-d Digest V97 #277

Beth Glace (lb@nismat.org)
Fri, 25 Apr 1997 10:35:17 +0000

I am not advocating high fat diets for athletes. There is some
promising literature just appearing but the long term
responses to such a diet, in terms of exercise performance or to
general health, are not known at this point. I think it is safe not
to say that it is not neccessary to adhere to a strictly low fat
diet in order to have good performances. A mixed diet, well varied
diet that emphasizes carbs still seems the best bet to me.
>.
Furthermore, the study suggests that the decrese in RER usually seen
after training when exercising at the same absolute
> intensity as before training can be prevented by a carbohydrate-rich diet."
>
I'm not sure what the authors meant here. It is generally considered
a good thing to have a lower RER for a given intensity of exercise.

>
> "It is proposed that CHO ingestion imporved endurance capacity by
> contributing oxidative ATP production specifically in Type I fibers and by
> doing so delayed the development of glycogen depletion in this fiber type."
>
> "In summary, preexercise glucose ingestion results in increased muscle
> glucose uptake and reduced liver glucose output during exercise."

I think this is point cannot be argued. Carbs during and prior to
exhaustive exercise absolutely extend performance.

> I am a fan of carbohydrates in all types of exercise and am encountering more
> and more evidence against higher than normal fat diets--at least long
> term--and this includes human endurance and tri-athletes.
What I see with human athletes is that they eat carbs to the point of
neglecting proteins and fats. End up with a daily diet of: bagels,
bagels, pasta, frozen yogurt and pretzels. Throw in gatorade too.
Obviously a very unbalanced approach to nutrition. They could use a
greater variety of foods even if those foods provide some fat.
Beth Glace, M.S.
Sports Nutritionist
lb@nismat.org

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