As a group address the following Case Study Scenario:
A 22-year old Caucasian male triathlete seeks some advice about his diet. He is convinced that he must consume large amounts of carbohydrates throughout the day to maintain his glucose levels for optimal performance. After doing a diet analysis you notice that he consumes approximately 80% of dietary Calories from carbohydrates, with the remainder of his dietary Calories from proteins and lipids equally divided. He wonders if this is a healthy diet for a triathlete to follow and what he should do to maintain his glucose levels for optimal performance.
Physiological Measures:
Height: 72-in
Weight: 175 lbs.
Non-exertional HR: 52 bpm
Non-exertional BP: 100/68 mmHg
Maximal HR: 211 bpm
VO2 max: 69.15 mL O2/kg*min-1
Provide responses to the following based on your current understanding of Human Physiology:
a) determine how appropriate the diet he is suggesting would be for him to follow.
b) what would an appropriate diet look like for a triathlete in training and during their competition?
c) explain why athletes do not need to constantly consume carbohydrates to maintain glucose levels.