Question

why are athletes advised to eat a meal high in complex carbohydrates the night before a competitive event?
a. carbohydrates keep your stomach full for a long time
b. carbohydrates increase reaction time
c. carbohydrates increase flexibility and strength
d. carbohydrates are stored in the muscles for quick energy

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Option A: Keeping the stomach full is not the main reason athletes eat complex carbs; energy storage is key. Eliminate A.
• Option B: Carbohydrates don't increase reaction time. Reaction time relates to neural processes, not carb intake. Eliminate B.
• Option C: Carbohydrates don't directly increase flexibility or strength. Flexibility is about joints/muscle elasticity, strength about muscle mass/force, not carbs. Eliminate C.
• Option D: Complex carbohydrates are broken down into glucose, which can be stored as glycogen in muscles. During competition, glycogen is used for quick energy. This matches the purpose of athletes eating high - carb meals before events.

Answer:

D. Carbohydrates are stored in the muscles for quick energy.