Definition & Meaning of "carbo-load"in English

What does "to carbo-load" mean in fitness slang?

The structure combines "carbo" (short for carbohydrate) with "load," forming a verb phrase for a specific dietary strategy. It is used to describe eating large amounts of carbohydrate rich food before exercise or athletic events, such as pasta, rice, or bread, to maximize energy storage in muscles. People typically carbo load before marathons, long distance runs, or endurance competitions. The term originated in sports nutrition and running communities during the 1970s and 1980s, popularized by marathoners and bodybuilders, and later entered mainstream fitness culture.