I am continually aware of the difficulty of getting clarity on issues of nutrition, low carb, and what one personally experiences. There are many explanations out there. I prefer to use my own self-experimentation, because at least there I have empirical data applied to me.

Having been very low carb (not currently, but moving back in that direction), for two years and an active distance cyclist and tennis player, I can tell you this: I had a long experience with ketosis, and I could not achieve comparable athletic performances without adding some carbs ahead of sports. This fixed the problem. I would go by your own experience; not every theoretical notion is applicable to each individual. Nutrition and physiology are very heterogenous, within limits.