User interface language: English | Español

Date May 2019 Marks available 1 Reference code 19M.3.SL.tz0.14
Level Standard Level Paper Paper 3 Time zone time zone 0
Command term Define Question number 14 Adapted from N/A

Question

Define glycemic index.

[1]
a.

Discuss how an athlete can adjust carbohydrate intake and training load in the week prior to an event in order to maximise endurance performance.

[4]
b.

Markscheme

it is a ranking system indicating the rate of glucose absorption in blood ✔

[1]

a.

increasing stored glycogen delays fatigue ✔

Training:

complete an exhaustive session approximately 7 days/1 week prior to the event ✔

the training load «intensity and volume» is reduced/tapered over the remaining «6» days ✔

Diet:

approximately 7 to 4 days prior the diet is low in CHO «high in fat and protein» ✔

this increases the activity of the enzyme glycogen synthase / results in greater glycogen storage when CHO diet increases ✔

the final «3» days has a high CHO diet ✔

Other valid methods to be accepted.

Award [2 max] for diet or training.

[4 max]

b.

Examiners report

Most students struggled to define glycemic index.

a.

There was a wide variety of answers to this question from simple benefits of carbohydrates on exercise to detailed instructions for carbohydrate loading. There were a small number of students who effectively tied carbohydrate loading to training.

b.

Syllabus sections

Option D: Nutrition for sports, exercise and health » D.4. Nutritional strategies » D.4.4. Define the term glycemic index (GI).
Option D: Nutrition for sports, exercise and health » D.4. Nutritional strategies
Option D: Nutrition for sports, exercise and health

View options