Optimal, not excessive: Redefining carbohydrate needs for performance

Nutrition, particularly carbohydrate availability, plays a crucial role in achieving optimal performance during endurance exercise. Recently, it has been suggested that consuming higher than recommended amounts of carbohydrates during exercise could further improve performance and recovery. However, ensuring high carbohydrate availability at all times may result in an energy surplus, meaning athletes must decide whether to prioritise carbohydrate intake before or during exercise to maintain energy balance. This webinar will provide a summary of the evidence regarding the importance of carbohydrates before and during exercise, followed by a discussion on their respective roles. Additionally, a new framework for daily carbohydrate availability will be proposed, along with recommendations for carbohydrate intake before and during exercise, tailored to the specific demands of different training sessions.

What will I gain from this webinar? 

• Understand the mechanisms by which carbohydrate intake before and during exercise enhances capacity and performance.
• Critically evaluate the importance of carbohydrate intake before and during exercise for optimising performance across varying exercise intensities and durations.
• Gain insights on how to maximise carbohydrate availability for peak performance in both training and competition, while maintaining energy balance.