Tag: Long duration exercise

According to sports dietitians, an endurance athlete can deplete their muscle glycogen stores in 90 minutes or less, leading to fatigue and decreased performance. This fact is critical to understanding the specific nutritional needs for long-duration exercise, which go beyond simple water replacement.

For workouts lasting 60 minutes or longer, endurance athletes lose significant fluids and electrolytes through sweat. During this prolonged duration, consuming a sports drink provides multiple benefits beyond what water alone can offer, helping to maintain energy levels and prevent dehydration.

Over 70% of the human body is water, yet it is carbohydrates and fats that serve as the primary fuel sources for energy during long exercise sessions. To achieve sustained exercise for hours, the body relies on a combination of muscle glycogen and fat stores, with the exact mix determined by the intensity and duration of the activity.