You are advising an athlete who will compete in an 800-meter race (approximately 1.5–2 minutes). Which pre-event nutritional and training strategy best synthesizes knowledge of energy systems to optimize performance?

• A. Emphasize high-fat, low-carbohydrate meals immediately before the race to train the body to use fat for high-intensity bursts and avoid any interval training which would favor aerobic development only.
• B. Consume only protein before the race to build muscle on race day and rely on the ATP–CP system alone during the event since protein directly fuels creatine phosphate regeneration.
• C. Avoid all fueling and training adaptations related to anaerobic systems; rely on slow long-distance training to make the aerobic system the exclusive source of ATP during the race.
• D. Prioritize carbohydrate-rich glycogen stores through targeted carbohydrate intake in the 24–48 hours before the race and maintain training that develops anaerobic capacity (intervals) and creatine phosphate buffering to support high-intensity efforts lasting ~1–2 minutes.

Answer: (D)