Carbohydrate and Muscle Glycogen Metabolism
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Skeletal muscle is metabolically promiscuous in relation to its fuel selection, being able to utilize carbohydrate, lipid, and select amino acids. Among healthy individuals, muscle glycogen is always utilized as a contractile fuel during any exercise intensity, yet at variable rates. McArdle disease reveals the critical role of muscle glycogen as a substrate, even at modest exercise intensities. Restriction of dietary carbohydrate in exercising/training individuals can produce dramatic drops in muscle glycogen, appears capable of supporting constant load exercise, but may result in reduced work output during high or variable intensity exercise. The use of glycemic index alone to determine the glycogen repletion potential of a food or supplement is misleading and misguided. Nutritional strategies to replace muscle glycogen are best achieved through adequate carbohydrate intakes, and perhaps via the selection of foods and supplements shown in comparison studies to produce superior muscle glycogen repletion kinetics. 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
