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Christopher Schwenker
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- April 7, 2022
Scientists offer a practical approach to the strategic nutrient timing for athletes and move away from the restrictive limitations of the metabolic window.
The dietary strategy meant to optimize short and long-term performance in which an athlete ingests specific nutrients at certain times is Nutrient Timing for athletes. Hormonal changes occur during exercise resulting in multiple physiological (like increased heart rate) and metabolic (like activation of enzymatic pathways) responses.
Insulin and the hormones that counteract its effect, like cortisol, are significant when examining nutrient timing. Generally and simply stated, our insulin level decreases, and cortisol increases when we exercise.
Exercise Causes Essential Changes
The exercise-induced changes are essential to energy availability and utilization of stores within muscle and other organs. In addition, cortisol causes muscle breakdown (catabolism) in the absence of energy availability.
The post-exercise period has undergone extensive research because it represents a significant opportunity to optimize performance and recovery.
The Metabolic “Nutrient Timing” Window is defined by scientists as the 45 minutes following exercise when we have elevated metabolic activity independent of insulin stimulation.
Metabolic Nutrient Timing For Cyclists Window Is In Question
Researchers have recently questioned the strict timing and existence of a post-exercise “window.” Nutrient consumption doesn’t occur at only one time of the day. It is crucial to view the theory of nutrient timing across a spectrum. By limiting to a specific moment, it excludes all others. Nutrient timing for cyclists isn’t that simple.
The pre-, intra-, and post-training periods influence each other nutrient utilization. Moreso, the strict timing of ingestion of certain nutrients is not realistic or practical for many athletes and the challenge to adhere is demotivating.
Metabolic Nutrient Timing For Cyclists Garage Door Is The Answer
Researchers from the Department of Exercise Science at the University of South Carolina identified the pitfalls of the strict manipulation of nutrient consumption (Arent et al. 2020). The scientists have moved away from the constraint and closed the “metabolic window.” To optimize performance, recovery, and athlete availability, athletes should open a “Garage Door of Opportunity.”
According to the researchers, consuming certain nutrients at specific times may be more beneficial than others, but the nutrient timing for cyclists topic is nuanced and the results muddled. There is more to gain fueling sensibly at all times around your exercise and throughout the day. The before, during, or after approach is not practical for most athletes.
Athletes should view the peri-exercise period as before, during, and after to consume adequate nutrients to facilitate recovery and performance outcomes. The period should be the chance to fuel and get closer to your daily caloric and balanced dietary goals. If not, it is insurmountable for hard-training athletes to meet their needs adequately.
Conclusion—Nutrient Timing For Cyclists Has Its Place
Of course, there are scenarios in which specific nutrient timing for cyclists is more critical than others. If an athlete depletes their levels before training, the consumption of carbohydrates has a significant enhancing effect. Post-exercise protein consumption is a factor for the strength training athlete who is fasted or has trained in a depleted state.
Once the athlete has developed a fueling program that adequately satisfies their total daily energy and macronutrient needs, then nutrient timing questions are fair to ask. I am confident that if you are reading this that you have many. You will have many answers, too.
I don’t blame you and would be hypocritical to suggest. I am guilty of pigeonholed nuance in the pursuit of marginal gains. Throw the book at me and give me a life sentence, but not until I met my essential priorities.
Don’t close your metabolic window unless you have opened a garage door of opportunity first.
Your Thoughts?
What is your opinion of the metabolic Nutrient Timing For Cyclists window or garage door debate? Comment below! Your fellow virtual cyclists want to know.
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Semi-retired as owner and director of his private Orthopedic Physical Therapy practice after over 20 years, Chris is blessed with the freedom to pursue his passion for virtual cycling and writing. On a continual quest to give back to his bike for all the rewarding experiences and relationships it has provided him, he created a non-profit. Chris is committed to helping others with his bike through its work and the pages of his site.
In the summer of 2022, he rode 3,900 miles from San Francisco to New York to support the charity he founded, TheDIRTDadFund. His “Gain Cave” resides on the North Fork of Long Island, where he lives with his beautiful wife and is proud of his two independent children.
You will read him promoting his passion on the pages of Cycling Weekly, Cycling News, road.cc, Zwift Insider, Endurance.biz, and Bicycling. Chris is co-host of The Virtual Velo Podcast, too!
