CompetitionThe Week Leading Up
Leading up to an event, it's important to have a high carbohydrate eating plan to build energy stores within the body. Carbohydrates from vegetables and grains are the primary source of fuel and when consumed they're converted to sugar and transported to cells. The sugar is stored in muscles as glycogen which is essential to sustain a high exercise standard. It is recommended that in the days leading up to an event, a swimmer's diet consists of 50% carbohydrates to help build muscle glycogen stores and prepare the body for strenuous competition and multiple races. It is also important to drink sufficient amounts of water to ensure full hydration (Cara Zolinsky, 2012). |
Building up carbohydrate energy stores is recommended in the days leading up to a competition as well as ensuring proper hydration to prepare the body for the event. |