NUTRITION IN SPORT

be achieved with the use of carbohydrate
supplements.
As proper nutrition has been shown to be
important to exercise performance, skaters could
benefit from paying special attention throughout
the preparation and competitive phases to
ensure that:
1 carbohydrates make up a large percentage
(minimally 60%) of their daily energy intake
(Costill & Miller 1980);
2 enhancement of muscle glycogen replenish-
ment occurs through consumption of 100 g of

650 sport-specific nutrition

carbohydrates within 2 h after the completion of

an exercise bout; this carbohydrate can be either

in liquid or solid form (Ivy et al. 1988a, 1988b);

and

3 body protein and thus muscle strength is

maintained, if not enhanced, by consumption of

1.6 g protein · kg–1body weight daily (Snyder &

Naik 1998).

On the day of skating competitions, a prerace

high-carbohydrate meal should be consumed

approximately 4 h prior to competition, with a

light carbohydrate snack consumed between

Fig. 50.5Long-track speed skater

performing low walking up a hill.

From Snyder and Foster (1994),

with permission.

Fig. 50.6Long-track speed skater

performing slide board exercise.

From Foster and Thompson

(1990), with permission.