Fat Versus Carbo

[[old] stuartg]

I know ther has been a lot said about heart rate versus fat/carbo utlisation. Can someone answer the following questions:<br>If I row at a HR where carbohydrates are predominately being used I would assume that the energy source if I rowed long enough is from my glycogen stores.<br>Once I stop rowing I would need to replenish that glycogen store. <br>How long does this replenishment process take?<br>If I do not take in any carbohydrates via fluids or food, would that glycogen replenishment come from the conversion of body fat?<br>After exercising in a zone where carbohydrates are predominately being used should I refrain from eating in an effort to utilise body fat if I wished to lose weight? If not what should I eat?<br>Thanks for the help.<br>Stu

[[old] drkcgoh]

Normal recovery is at the rate of 5% per hour, with an average of 20 hours for full recovery. Persistent high intensity exercise without adquate carbohydrate replacement leads to a chronic fatigue state. Trying to starve oneself of carbohydrate will lead to further depletion of glycogen stores in the muscles, making them unable to function properly.<br>Involuntary body functions like breathing and the beating heart use fat as the fuel source. The muscles have a choice between using carbohydrate & fat. When they run out of carbohydrates, the fat cannot be used because fat can be burnt only in the presence of carbohydrates. <br>That is the reason behind taking in carbohydrates after exercise. There is a small window period of 20 min. during which the muscle enzymes are secreted in larger amounts to allow rapid absorption & deposition of carbohydrate stores inside the muscles. <br>So there is no point in working out hard to exhaust the msucle carbohydrate stores, then staying off carbohydrates in the hope that this will stimulate more fat burning. <br>KC62