To enhance cardiorespiratory endurance in adolescent athletes, which type of diet is most beneficial?

A diet high in carbohydrates is most beneficial for enhancing cardiorespiratory endurance in adolescent athletes because carbohydrates serve as the primary source of energy during prolonged, moderate to high-intensity physical activity. When engaging in endurance activities, the body prefers to use glycogen, which is stored in the muscles and liver, as its main fuel source.

Consuming a carbohydrate-rich diet ensures that athletes have sufficient glycogen stores to support their training and competition needs, allowing for improved performance and endurance. Carbohydrates also play a crucial role in recovery post-exercise, as they help replenish glycogen stores that get depleted during endurance activities.

In contrast, while fats, vitamins, and proteins are essential nutrients, they do not provide the same immediate energy source for high-intensity endurance activities. Unsaturated fats, for example, are beneficial for overall health but are metabolized more slowly and are not as effective for quick energy needs during athletic performance. Likewise, vitamins are vital for various bodily functions but do not directly provide energy. A diet overly high in protein might not support endurance effectively, as protein can be less efficient for energy compared to carbohydrates and excessive protein intake may lead to other metabolic priorities that divert resources from endurance performance.