There are three kinds of carbohydrates: 

1. Monosaccharides (sugars such as glucose and fructose)
2. Oligosaccharides (disaccharides such as sucrose, lactose, and maltose)
3. Polysaccharides (starch, fiber, and glycogen)

Carbohydrates, which are stored in limited quantity in liver and muscle, serve

1. as a major source of energy
2. to spare the breakdown of proteins
3. as a metabolic primer for lipid metabolism
4. as fuel for the central nervous system

Muscle glycogen and blood glucose are the primary fuels during intense exercise. The body's glycogen stores also serve an important role in energy metabolism in sustained high levels of aerobic exercise such as marathon running, distance cycling, and swimming.

A carbohydrate-deficient diet rapidly depletes muscle and liver glycogen and can profoundly affect both high-intensity anaerobic and long-duration aerobic exercise capacity.

Individuals involved in heavy training should consume about 60% of their daily calories as carbohydrates, predominately in unrefined complex form.

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Last modified: September 05, 2000

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