What role do carbohydrates play during endurance training?

Carbohydrates play a crucial role during endurance training as they are the primary source of energy for sustained exercise. When the body engages in prolonged physical activity, such as running, cycling, or swimming over extended periods, it relies predominantly on carbohydrates to fuel these efforts. This is because carbohydrates are stored in the muscles and liver in the form of glycogen, which can be quickly converted into glucose for energy as needed.

During endurance activities, the body needs a readily available energy source to maintain performance and delay fatigue. Carbohydrates provide this necessary energy efficiently, supporting prolonged activity and helping to sustain performance levels.

In contrast, proteins serve mainly as a building block for muscle repair and recovery rather than as a primary energy source during exercise. Moreover, while carbohydrates can aid in recovery post-exercise, their main function in the context of endurance training is to fuel the activity itself, which is why they are highlighted as the primary energy source.