GLOSSARY

Exercise Type identifies the movement or exercise mode, such as running, cycling or resistance work. Mode affects recruited tissues, mechanics, eating opportunities and recovery demands.

External training load describes the work performed, such as distance, power or repetitions. Internal load describes the athlete's response, such as heart rate or perceived exertion. Volume, intensity and duration contribute differently, so one summary number does not reveal all nutritional demands. Two sessions with similar duration can differ greatly in carbohydrate use and recovery needs. Food planning should reflect the actual work and subsequent schedule, while persistent mismatch between intake and load deserves review.

Carbohydrate requirements vary with the intensity, duration and importance of the work. Daily intake relative to body mass describes a different quantity from an intake rate during exercise, which is commonly expressed per hour. A larger daily target does not mean the same amount should be consumed in every session. Match supply to the schedule, starting stores and practical tolerance, and distinguish grams eaten from grams absorbed or oxidized when discussing a fueling plan.

For example, two sessions of similar duration can involve very different repeated-sprint or resistance workloads. Record the work and the athlete's response, then plan food for the next session as well. Duration alone is a limited basis for assigning identical carbohydrate intake or recovery meals.

Periodization adjusts nutrition across sessions, days or training phases to support the work and its goals. Carbohydrate can be concentrated around demanding or important sessions while the broader diet still meets energy and nutrient needs. A lower-demand day can also be a recovery or preparation day, so rest does not imply that food or carbohydrate should be removed. Describe what changes, when and why, and evaluate the quality of subsequent training rather than treating variation itself as beneficial.