Resumen

MACMILLAN, Norman. USEFULNESS OF THE GLYCEMIC INDEX IN SPORT NUTRITION. Rev. chil. nutr. [online]. 2002, vol.29, n.2, pp. 92-97. ISSN 0717-7518.  doi: 10.4067/S0717-75182002000200003.

The glycemic index (GI) represents the increase of blood glucose in response to the carbohydrates contained in foods. Originaly designed for diabetic population, recent studies have shown the GI may have an important role for the athletes to selected carbohydrates for consumption prior to, during and after exercise. Consumption of foods with high GI prior to an exercise bout tend to promote hypoglicemia at the initiation of the exercise and reduces fat oxidation. This metabolic condition could be prevented with a large amount of carbohydrate ingestion during excercise. During prolongued aerobic exercise high GI foods consumption is associated with a more stable glycemia and during lower intensity exercise with lower fat oxidation. Consumption of foods with high GI soon after exercise will probably promote the restoration of muscle glycogen and reduce protein catabolism

Palabras clave : glycemic index; exercise.