The role of dietary carbohydrates in muscle glycogen resynthesis after strenuous running

Abstract

This study examined the effect of the type, amount, and the frequency of feeding of carbohydrates on muscle glycogen resynthesis after running. Trained male runners performed a 16.1 km run at 80% V̇O₂ max to decrease gastrocnemius glycogen levels. A complex or simple carbohydrate diet (∼ 3000 kcal) resulted in similar muscle glycogen levels 24 h after exercise. Forty-eight hours after exercise the complex carbohydrate diet resulted in significantly higher (p < than 0.05) muscle glycogen levels. Consuming increasing amounts of carbohydrate, between 88 to 648 g carbohydrate/day, resulted in increasingly larger amounts of muscle glycogen resynthesis (24 h) after exercise. Frequent feedings of a high carbohydrate diet did not enhance muscle glycogen synthesis when compared to equal amounts of carbohydrates in two meals. It appears that muscle glycogen can be normalized between daily strenuous running activity.