What should athletes eat pre competition?
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Athletes preparing for a competition should pay particular attention to their pre-competition nutrition to optimize their performance. discussed strategies for pre-workout nutrition that highlight the importance of protein and carbohydrates. For instance, consuming around 15 grams of protein before strength training can help fuel the body and enhance post-exercise oxygen consumption. For cardiovascular activities lasting up to an hour, adding 30 grams of carbohydrates is recommended to maintain energy levels. This approach ensures blood sugar levels are optimized, preventing the body from entering a stressed state 1.
In addition, noted that consuming carbohydrates prior to exercise can lead the body to use carbohydrates as a primary fuel source. This is crucial for high-intensity activities that rely on quick energy. Conversely, consuming fats before a workout may signal the body to burn fats, but this could potentially hinder performance due to the slower energy release from fats, which is not ideal for high-energy demands typical in competitions 2.
Therefore, a good pre-competition meal involves a balance of carbohydrates and proteins to fuel efforts without causing digestive discomfort 1.
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