| Date | May 2019 | Marks available | 4 | Reference code | 19M.3.SL.tz0.14 |
| Level | Standard Level | Paper | Paper 3 | Time zone | time zone 0 |
| Command term | Discuss | Question number | 14 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
Define glycemic index.
Discuss how an athlete can adjust carbohydrate intake and training load in the week prior to an event in order to maximise endurance performance.
Markscheme
it is a ranking system indicating the rate of glucose absorption in blood ✔
[1]
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]
Examiners report
Most students struggled to define glycemic index.
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.
