Evaluate the importance of glycogen loading for aerobic versus anaerobic activities. (8 marks)
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Sample Answer
Evaluation Statement:
- Glycogen loading is highly effective for aerobic activities but ineffective for anaerobic activities.
Aerobic Activities – Fuel Requirements:
- Strongly meets endurance fuel requirements for events exceeding 90 minutes duration.
- Loading involves increasing carbohydrate intake over 2-4 days while tapering training.
- This maximises muscle glycogen stores which serve as primary fuel for sustained aerobic performance.
- Without loading, glycogen depletion occurs causing significant performance decline known as “hitting the wall”.
- Proves highly effective as loaded athletes can maintain pace throughout extended events.
Anaerobic Activities – Energy System Demands:
- Fails to benefit activities using immediate and short-term energy systems lasting seconds to minutes.
- Sprint events and explosive movements rely on immediate energy stores, not glycogen.
- Normal daily carbohydrate intake provides sufficient glycogen for brief high-intensity efforts.
- Loading offers no advantage as these activities don’t deplete glycogen stores.
Practical Considerations:
- Loading requires careful planning and dietary changes that may disrupt training routines.
- Aerobic athletes find this worthwhile given substantial performance benefits.
- Anaerobic athletes gain no measurable improvement making the process unnecessary.
Final Evaluation:
- Glycogen loading effectiveness directly correlates with event duration and energy system demands.
- It is an essential strategy for endurance athletes but completely unnecessary for power athletes.
- The contrasting effectiveness demonstrates the importance of matching nutritional strategies to specific sport requirements.
Show Worked Solution
Sample Answer
Evaluation Statement:
- Glycogen loading is highly effective for aerobic activities but ineffective for anaerobic activities.
Aerobic Activities – Fuel Requirements:
- Strongly meets endurance fuel requirements for events exceeding 90 minutes duration.
- Loading involves increasing carbohydrate intake over 2-4 days while tapering training.
- This maximises muscle glycogen stores which serve as primary fuel for sustained aerobic performance.
- Without loading, glycogen depletion occurs causing significant performance decline known as “hitting the wall”.
- Proves highly effective as loaded athletes can maintain pace throughout extended events.
Anaerobic Activities – Energy System Demands:
- Fails to benefit activities using immediate and short-term energy systems lasting seconds to minutes.
- Sprint events and explosive movements rely on immediate energy stores, not glycogen.
- Normal daily carbohydrate intake provides sufficient glycogen for brief high-intensity efforts.
- Loading offers no advantage as these activities don’t deplete glycogen stores.
Practical Considerations:
- Loading requires careful planning and dietary changes that may disrupt training routines.
- Aerobic athletes find this worthwhile given substantial performance benefits.
- Anaerobic athletes gain no measurable improvement making the process unnecessary.
Final Evaluation:
- Glycogen loading effectiveness directly correlates with event duration and energy system demands.
- It is an essential strategy for endurance athletes but completely unnecessary for power athletes.
- The contrasting effectiveness demonstrates the importance of matching nutritional strategies to specific sport requirements.