In the study comparing the effects of supplementing the diets of endurance-trained cyclists with additional carbohydrate (CHO) in the form of potato starch, the difference between the high-CHO and the control group lies in:
d) Carbohydrate intake before trial
In this study, the key difference between the high-CHO group and the control group would be the carbohydrate intake before the trial. The high-CHO group would have received additional carbohydrate supplementation in the form of potato starch, while the control group would not have received this supplementation. This difference in carbohydrate intake before the trial would allow researchers to evaluate how the additional carbohydrate affects muscle glycogen utilization and performance during the 3-hour cycle ride compared to the control group. This aspect is crucial in understanding the impact of carbohydrate supplementation on endurance exercise and performance.
