Which statement about energy requirements is true?

Which statement about energy requirements is true?

• A. Endurance athletes require more carbohydrates
• B. Teenagers require fewer calories than adults
• C. Athletes need to balance calorie intake with energy expenditure
• D. Weightlifting and strength athletes require less protein

Answer: (C)

Energy balance is what energy requirements come down to: the calories you take in from food and drink versus the calories your body uses through resting metabolism, activity, and digestion. For athletes, total energy needs change with how hard you train, your body size, and growth, so matching intake to expenditure helps you maintain weight and support performance. The statement about balancing calorie intake with energy expenditure directly reflects this idea. The other points aren’t addressing overall energy balance: endurance training does require more carbohydrates for fuel, growth in teens typically increases caloric needs, and strength athletes usually need more protein to support repair and growth.

Energy balance is what energy requirements come down to: the calories you take in from food and drink versus the calories your body uses through resting metabolism, activity, and digestion. For athletes, total energy needs change with how hard you train, your body size, and growth, so matching intake to expenditure helps you maintain weight and support performance. The statement about balancing calorie intake with energy expenditure directly reflects this idea. The other points aren’t addressing overall energy balance: endurance training does require more carbohydrates for fuel, growth in teens typically increases caloric needs, and strength athletes usually need more protein to support repair and growth.