Snyder, A. C., Kuipers, H., Cheng, B., Servais, R., & Fransen, E. (1993). Indices of over-reaching following intensified training: role of carbohydrate intake. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 25(5), Supplement abstract 966.

The purpose of this study was to determine if consumption of appropriate amounts of carbohydrate during a period of increased exercise training would protect against becoming over-reached (overtrained).

Cyclists (M = 8) were measured during three training periods: (a) normal (moderate intensity, long duration, 7 days), (b) overtraining (high intensity, 15 days), and (c) recovery (minimal training, 6 days). Carbohydrate ingestion was similar, between 60 and 70 percent at all times. Markers for overtraining were: (a) work maximum, (b) HRmax, (c) HLa:RPE, (d) cortisol, and (e) responses to a questionnaire.

All subjects had at least four of the five indicators of over-reaching but no variation in muscle glycogen levels.

Implication. Overtraining (over-reaching) occurs independent of muscle glycogen levels.

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