In this episode, we sit down with Dr Andrew Koutnik to unpack one of the most discussed sports science reviews in recent years. Drawing on more than 100 years of research and a series of tightly controlled trials, we examine evidence that challenges the long-held belief that more carbohydrates automatically lead to better performance.
We explore why muscle glycogen and carbohydrate oxidation do not consistently predict performance, how athletes can sustain high-intensity and endurance output with much lower carbohydrate intake, and why protecting brain energy may be a key limiter during exercise.
The conversation also examines why some highly trained athletes still show markers of poor metabolic health, what this means for current fueling guidelines, and why context matters when translating science into real-world practice.
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References:
https://academic.oup.com/edrv/advance-article/doi/10.1210/endrev/bnaf038/8432248?login=false
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Today’s speakers:
Prof Paul Laursen https://www.paullaursen.com/
Dr Andrew Koutnik https://www.instagram.com/andrewkoutnikphd/
Training Science Podcast