Christopher D. Jensen, PhD, MPH, RD
Whether your exercise of choice is a fast walk in the local park or an Ironman Triathlon in Kona, it’s the muscles you’re packing that power you through every step of the way. But do you know what fuels muscle? In this article, we explore the different energy systems that you rely on during exercise and how what you eat impacts how effectively you’re able to fuel your muscles during endurance exercise.
High-Energy Fuel in Short Supply
Your muscles work by contracting, and in order to contract they require fuel. They get that fuel from a chemical that scientists call adenosine triphosphate, or ATP for short. ATP is a high-energy compound, meaning that when it’s broken down, energy is released. That fleeting spark of energy that ATP produces will drive the contraction of the muscles that enable you to take that step, scramble over that rock, throw that ball, or anything else. Visit site for more information