AFAA Personal Trainer Certification Practice Exam 2026 - Free Personal Trainer Practice Questions and Study Guide

Carbohydrate loading is a strategy used by endurance athletes to optimize their energy reserves for prolonged physical activity. The primary goal of carbohydrate loading is to maximize muscle glycogen storage. Glycogen serves as a critical source of energy during endurance events, and by increasing the amount of glycogen stored in the muscles, athletes can enhance their performance and delay the onset of fatigue.

When an athlete engages in carbohydrate loading, they typically increase their carbohydrate intake several days prior to an event while tapering their training intensity. This dietary shift allows muscles to store larger amounts of glycogen than usual, which can provide a significant energy reservoir during endurance activities.

By contrast, minimizing water retention, increasing protein synthesis, or reducing body fat percentage are not the main objectives of carbohydrate loading. While water retention may occur as a result of increased carbohydrate intake—due to the fact that glycogen is stored with water—this is not the primary aim of the process. Additionally, the focus during carbohydrate loading is on carbohydrate consumption rather than protein synthesis, and the goal is not necessarily to decrease body fat before competitions, but rather to ensure that glycogen stores are maximized for optimal performance.