Efecto del consumo de hidratos de carbono en los deportes de resistencia

Abstract

The aim of this review is to summarize the effects of carbohydrate consumption on endurance sports. Due to the promotion of physical activity by health authorities, participation in endurance sports is increasing. Regardless of the level, athletes look for ways to optimize their performance through training and nutrition. In consequence, research in the field of sports nutrition has focused on those strategies that can improve performance. Fatigue during prolonged exercise is associated with depletion of muscle glycogen and reduced blood glucose concentrations. Therefore, carbohydrate feeding during exercise has shown that it can improve capacity and performance, because it helps maintain blood glucose levels, as well as, increase carbohydrate oxidation rates and preserve glycogen, finding better results when are consumed multiple-tranportable carbohydrates for absortion (e.g., fructose and glucose), since in this way is possible to increase absorption rates, gastric emptying and fluid absorption, in addition to decrease gastrointestinal distress.