Assessment of the association of carbohydrate intake on exercise perfomance among secondary school athletes in Tororo City, Uganda
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Date
2026-09-10
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Busitema University
Abstract
Carbohydrate intake is an important consideration in supporting exercise performance among athletes, particularly because carbohydrates provide energy for physical activity and contribute to muscle glycogen availability. However, limited evidence exists on the type, timing, and quantity of carbohydrate consumed before exercise and their association with exercise performance among secondary school athletes in Uganda, particularly in Tororo City. This study, therefore, aimed at assessing the association of carbohydrate intake on exercise performance among secondary school athletes in Tororo City, Uganda. The study specifically purported to examine the type, timing, and quantity of carbohydrate intake among secondary school athletes, assess their exercise performance levels, and determine the association between pre-exercise carbohydrate intake and exercise performance. This quantitative study employed a descriptive cross-sectional research design with a sample of 254 secondary school athletes selected from five secondary schools in Tororo City. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS Version 20. Results indicated that maize porridge (75.6%), glucose (72.0%), sweet tea (67.3%), and solid foods such as bread, bananas, rice, matooke, and sweet potatoes (61.0%) were the most commonly consumed carbohydrate sources. Carbohydrate provision was more common after training (78.8%) than one hour before training (44.1%), 30 minutes before training (37.4%), or during training (22.4%). Exercise performance was generally moderate, with endurance (M=3.05, SD=0.56), strength (M=3.33, SD=0.63), and perceived energy (M=3.38, SD=0.69). Correlation analysis showed that carbohydrate type was not significantly associated with endurance (r=-.115, p=.066), strength (r=-.036, p=.563), or perceived energy (r=.100, p=.111). However, timing of carbohydrate intake had a statistically significant but weak positive association with endurance (r=.158, p=.011), while no significant associations were found with strength (r=-.007, p=.909) or perceived energy (r=.055, p=.379). The study concludes that secondary school athletes in Tororo City consume a variety of carbohydrate-rich foods, although carbohydrate intake is more common after training than before or during training. Exercise performance was predominantly moderate, and pre-exercise carbohydrate intake alone did not explain differences in exercise performance, except for the weak positive association between carbohydrate timing and endurance. It is therefore recommended that schools, coaches, and games teachers provide practical guidance on appropriate carbohydrate sources and timing before, during, and after training, with greater attention to appropriate pre-exercise carbohydrate intake to support endurance and overall exercise performance.
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Cheptoyek, R. (2026). Assessment of the association of carbohydrate intake on exercise perfomance among secondary school athletes in Tororo City, Uganda [Undergraduate research report]. Busitema University.