What is the objective of carbohydrate timing in athletic nutrition?

The objective of carbohydrate timing in athletic nutrition is primarily focused on enhancing recovery and refueling glycogen stores. After physical activity, especially intense or prolonged exercise, the body requires carbohydrates to replenish glycogen, which is the stored form of glucose in muscles and liver. This replenishment is crucial for athletes, as depleted glycogen can lead to fatigue, decreased performance in subsequent workouts, and impaired recovery.

Timing carbohydrates around training sessions—before, during, and after exercise—ensures that athletes have the energy needed for performance and recovery. Consuming carbohydrates post-exercise, in particular, stimulates insulin secretion, which helps transport glucose into cells and promotes muscle repair and growth, while also speeding up glycogen resynthesis.

While minimizing fat gain, optimizing muscle growth, and increasing overall calorie intake might be related to an athlete's overall nutrition strategy, they aren't the primary focus of carbohydrate timing within the context of athletic performance and recovery. The main goal remains centered on efficiently managing glycogen stores and enhancing recovery, making option C the most accurate choice.