The Role of Skeletal Muscle Glycogen in Performance and Metabolic Health

The Role of Skeletal Muscle Glycogen in Performance and Metabolic Health

Glycogen particles are composed of thousands of glucose molecules linked with glycosidic bonds and used by most kingdoms (animals, bacteria, fungi) to store carbohydrate. The structure of the glycogen particle allows rapid degradation to provide energy. Glycogen synthesis occurs when carbohydrate is in excess. In humans, skeletal muscle and the liver store most of the carbohydrate, but glycogen exists in most tissues. Although the liver and muscle absorb glucose from the blood after meals, only liver glycogen contributes to maintaining plasma glucose in periods without intestinal glucose absorption. On the other hand, muscle glycogen is the main energy substrate during high intensity exercise. Dynamic muscle glycogen metabolism is important for metabolic health and performance and is potentiated by exercise.