Glycaemic Responses to a Food Intake Sequence Intervention in Free-living Elite Female Athletes

The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate the impact of a food intake sequence intervention under free-living conditions on glycaemic responses in elite female athletes. Specifically, the main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Does consuming breakfast in different food intake sequences alter postprandial interstitial glucose responses? 2. Does consuming a pre-exercise meal in different food intake sequences alter interstitial glucose responses during exercise? 3. Does consuming the last meal of the day in different food intake sequences alter nocturnal interstitial glucose responses? To address these questions, researchers will compare eating the dietary sources of rapidly absorbed carbohydrate (CHO) at the end (CHO-last meal pattern) or at the start (CHO-first meal pattern) of standardised mixed meals, at different times of day, in a randomised, counterbalanced, crossover design. Participants will wear a blinded continuous glucose monitor (CGM) for 6 consecutive days during a training camp. Throughout the study, they will be provided with buffet meals, at the same time and location each day. Dietary intake will be ad libitum, except for breakfast and supper, for which participants will select a preferred composition (ingredients, preparation methods, portion sizes) to replicate across study days. In all ad libitum meals (i.e., lunch, snacks, and dinner), they will be asked to maintain their assigned food intake sequence. * On day 1, athletes will eat freely. An educational session on the study protocol and food sequence manipulation will be delivered, and informed consent, questionnaires, screening assessments, and CGM fitting will be completed. Data collected by the CGM during the first 24 hours will be disregarded due to sensor stabilisation. Hence, this period will serve for familiarisation only. * On days 2 and 3, one group will eat the last meal of the day (i.e., supper) in a CHO-last meal pattern, while the other will follow a CHO-first meal pat