What purpose do carbohydrates primarily serve in high-intensity athletic activities?

Carbohydrates serve as the primary source of energy during high-intensity athletic activities due to their ability to be quickly broken down into glucose. When athletes engage in vigorous exercise, their bodies require rapid energy to sustain performance, and carbohydrates are the most efficient fuel for this purpose. Stored in the muscles and liver as glycogen, carbohydrates can be mobilized swiftly to meet the energy demands of intense physical activities.

This energy is critical for activities such as sprinting, high-intensity interval training, and competitive sports, where the body must exert a lot of effort in a short period. While other nutrients play supportive roles in exercise and recovery, carbohydrates are unique in their immediate availability and effectiveness for providing quick energy, making them indispensable for athletes engaged in high levels of exertion.