On Fri, 9 Oct 1998, Cecilia Thornton-Egan wrote:

> TODD WROTE:
> >For example, I have resumed karate training after a 5-year lapse.
> >This involves a lot of high-intensity fast-twitch muscle work.
> >It is pointless (and dangerous) to attempt this on
> >glycogen-depleted muscles, so I have to increase my carb intake a
> >bit, but cautiously.  If I do it right, the net result will be
> >some further fat loss.  If I screw it up...
>
> Todd, why is it dangerous?

It's dangerous because when muscular performance is compromised
to that extent the likelihood of an injury increases
dramatically.  In karate, we have to launch kicks and strikes
from fairly deep stances.  When the leg muscles are
glycogen-depleted this just doesn't happen, so it becomes easy to
pull a tendon, strain a ligament, etc.

And there's always the difficulty of getting out of the way of
the incoming punch or kick.

Todd Moody
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