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Cited by 53Cardiovascular and exercise physiologyMuscle metabolism and nutritionSports Performance and Training

Local depletion of glycogen with supramaximal exercise in human skeletal muscle fibres

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Gejl, Kasper D., Ørtenblad, Niels, Andersson, Erik, Plomgaard, Peter, Holmberg, Hans‐Christer, Nielsen, Joachim·2017·The Journal of Physiology
DOI 10.1113/jp273109PMC PMC5407966
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Abstract

Key points: Glycogen is stored in local spatially distinct compartments within skeletal muscle fibres and is the main energy source during supramaximal exercise. Using quantitative electron microscopy, we show that supramaximal exercise induces a differential depletion of glycogen from these compartments and also demonstrate how this varies with fibre types. Repeated exercise alters this compartmentalized glycogen depletion. The results obtained in the present study help us understand the muscle metabolic dynamics of whole body repeated supramaximal exercise, and suggest that the muscle has a compartmentalized local adaptation to repeated exercise, which affects glycogen depletion. Skeletal muscle glycogen is heterogeneously distributed in three separated compartments (intramyofibrillar, intermyofibrillar and subsarcolemmal). Although only constituting 3–13% of the total glycogen volume, the availability of intramyofibrillar glycogen is of particular importance to muscle function. The present study aimed to investigate the depletion of these three subcellular glycogen compartments during repeated supramaximal exercise in elite athletes. Ten elite cross‐country skiers (aged 25 ± 4 years, : 65 ± 4 ml kg−1 min−1; mean ± SD) performed four ∼4 min supramaximal sprint time trials (STT 1–4) with 45 min of recovery. The subcellular glycogen volumes in musculus triceps brachii were quantified from electron microscopy images before and after both STT 1 and 4. During STT 1, the depletion of intramyofibrillar glycogen was higher in type 1 fibres [−52%; (−89:−15%)] than type 2 fibres [−15% (−52:22%)] (P = 0.02), whereas the depletion of intermyofibrillar glycogen [main effect: −19% (−33:0%), P = 0.006] and subsarcolemmal glycogen [main effect: −35% (−66:0%), P = 0.03] was similar between fibre types. By contrast, only intermyofibrillar glycogen volume was significantly reduced during STT 4, in both fibre types [main effect: −31% (−50:−11%), P = 0.002]. Furthermore, for each of the subcellular compartments, the depletion of glycogen during STT 1 was associated with the volumes of glycogen before STT 1. In conclusion, the depletion of spatially distinct glycogen compartments differs during supramaximal exercise. Furthermore, the depletion changes with repeated exercise and is fibre type‐dependent.

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  • During more intense formats of sprint skiing, glycogen utilization is substantially higher.

    “During more intense formats of sprint skiing, glycogen utilization is substantially higher.”

    From Carbohydrate Storage and Supplementation Strategies for Peak Performance in Cross-Country Skiing (2026) · cites this paper as [10]

  • In elite cross-country skiers completing four successive 1300-m high-intensity skiing bouts (~4 min) interspersed with 45-min recovery periods during which 70 g carbohydrate were consumed, there was similar relative glycogen utilization in bout 1 and 4, with average glycogen utilization of 22% in arms and 18% in legs.

    “This has been shown in a study on elite cross‐country skiers completing four successive 1300‐m high‐intensity skiing bouts (~4 min), interspersed with 45‐min recovery periods during which 70 g carbohydrate were consumed [10, 35].”

    From Carbohydrate Storage and Supplementation Strategies for Peak Performance in Cross-Country Skiing (2026) · cites this paper as [10]

  • In leg muscle, glycogen contents were 303 mmol kg−1 dw after bout 4, which with the same calculations approach would be 269 mmol kg−1 dw without carbohydrate intake.

    “In leg muscle, glycogen contents were 303 mmol kg−1 dw after bout 4, which with same calculations approach would be 269 mmol kg−1 dw without carbohydrate intake.”

    From Carbohydrate Storage and Supplementation Strategies for Peak Performance in Cross-Country Skiing (2026) · cites this paper as [10]

  • With carbohydrate intake of 70 g during the three 45-min recovery periods between sprints, there was an estimated average glycogen resynthesis rate of ~47 mmol per period or ~63 mmol h−1.

    “With the carbohydrate intake of 70 g carbohydrate during the three 45‐min recovery periods between sprints, there was an estimated average glycogen resynthesis rate of ~47 mmol per period or ~63 mmol h−1.”

    From Carbohydrate Storage and Supplementation Strategies for Peak Performance in Cross-Country Skiing (2026) · cites this paper as [10]

  • Strategies to increase pre-competition glycogen stores can confer performance benefits in events where carbohydrate availability may become critical (e.g., Vasaloppet, Worldloppet series, World Cup and Olympic 50 km race, or individual/team sprint with repeated bouts).

    “For events in which carbohydrate availability may become critical, e.g., Vasaloppet, Worldloppet series, World Cup and Olympic 50 km race or the individual or team sprint format with repeated bouts [10, 32], strategies to increase pre‐competition glycogen stores can therefore confer performance benefits [38].”

    From Carbohydrate Storage and Supplementation Strategies for Peak Performance in Cross-Country Skiing (2026) · cites this paper as [10]

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Authors
Gejl, K. D., Ørtenblad, N., Andersson, E., Plomgaard, P., Holmberg, H., & Nielsen, J.
Affiliations
  • University of Southern Denmark (DK)
  • Mid Sweden University (SE)
  • Rigshospitalet (DK)
  • Swedish Olympic Committee (SE)
Corresponding author
Gejl, Kasper D.
ORCID
Venue
The Journal of Physiology
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2016-11-08
Volume
595
Issue
9
Pages
2809-2821
ISSN
  • 0022-3751 (ISSN-L)
  • 1469-7793
DOI
10.1113/jp273109
PMC
PMC5407966
OpenAlex
W2523996297
Cited by
52
References
49
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 1
FWCI
10.26
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations
  • The Journal of Physiology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • KTH Publication Database DiVA (KTH Royal Institute of Technology) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • University of Southern Denmark Research Portal (University of Southern Denmark) (submittedVersion)
Funders
Centrum for Idrottsforskning (#FO2013‐0033)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
Keywords
skeletal muscle glycogen, supramaximal exercise, repeated sprint exercise, fiber type, cross-country skiing, triceps brachii, muscle energy metabolism, elite athletes
MeSH terms
Adult, Glycogen, Humans, Male, Oxygen Consumption, Exercise, Muscle Fibers, Skeletal

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