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Cited by 161Muscle metabolism and nutritionCardiovascular and exercise physiologySports Performance and Training

Human Muscle Glycogen Metabolism During Exercise: Effect of Carbohydrate Supplementation

Tsintzas, Kostas, Williams, Clyde·1998·Sports Medicine
DOI 10.2165/00007256-199825010-00002
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Abstract

Carbohydrate (CHO) ingestion during exercise, in the form of CHO-electrolyte beverages, leads to performance benefits during prolonged submaximal and variable intensity exercise. However, the mechanism underlying this ergogenic effect is less clear. Euglycaemia and oxidation of blood glucose at high rates late in exercise and a decreased rate of muscle glycogen utilisation (i.e. glycogen 'sparing') have been proposed as possible mechanisms underlying the ergogenic effect of CHO ingestion. The prevalence of one or the other mechanism depends on factors such as the type and intensity of exercise, amount, type and timing of CHO ingestion, and pre-exercise nutritional and training status of study participants. The type and intensity of exercise and the effect of these on blood glucose, plasma insulin and catecholamine levels, may play a major role in determining the rate of muscle glycogen utilisation when CHO is ingested during exercise. The ingestion of CHO (except fructose) at a rate of > 45 g/h, accompanied by a significant increase in plasma insulin levels, could lead to decreased muscle glycogen utilisation (particularly in type I fibres) during exercise. Endurance training and alterations in pre-exercise muscle glycogen levels do not seem to affect exogenous glucose oxidation during submaximal exercise. Thus, at least during low intensity or intermittent exercise, CHO ingestion could result in reduced muscle glycogen utilisation in well trained individuals with high resting muscle glycogen levels. Further research needs to concentrate on factors that regulate glucose uptake and energy metabolism in different types of muscle fibres during exercise with and without CHO ingestion.

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Crossref · 10.2165/00007256-199825010-00002

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  • The mode of exercise and whether or not carbohydrates were ingested during exercise seem to be interrelated determinants of equal importance on utilising muscle glycogen during physical work.

    “The mode of exercise and whether or not carbohydrates were ingested during exercise seem to be interrelated determinants of equal importance on utilising muscle glycogen during physical work [73].”

    From Regulation of Energy Substrate Metabolism in Endurance Exercise (2021) · cites this paper as [73]

  • The majority of cycling-based investigations suggest that carbohydrate ingestion is not likely to provide an ergogenic benefit.

    “In contrast, the majority of cycling-based investigations suggest that this phenomenon is not likely to provide an ergogenic benefit when carbohydrates are ingested [73]”

    From Regulation of Energy Substrate Metabolism in Endurance Exercise (2021) · cites this paper as [73]

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Authors
Tsintzas, K., & Williams, C.
Affiliations
Loughborough University (GB)
Corresponding author
Tsintzas, Kostas
ORCID
Tsintzas, Kostas
Venue
Sports Medicine
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
1998
Volume
25
Issue
1
Pages
7-23
ISSN
0112-1642 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.2165/00007256-199825010-00002
OpenAlex
W2056589074
Cited by
161
References
71
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 14 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 5
FWCI
1.92
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Sports Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
Keywords
muscle glycogen metabolism, carbohydrate intake, ergogenic aids, glycogen sparing, normoglycemia, plasma insulin, catecholamines, muscle fiber type, endurance training, submaximal exercise, intermittent exercise, glucose uptake
MeSH terms
Beverages, Bicycling, Blood Glucose, Catecholamines, Dietary Carbohydrates, Electrolytes, Energy Metabolism, Physical Exertion, Fructose, Glucose, Glycogen, Humans, Insulin, Nutritional Status, Oxidation-Reduction, Physical Endurance, Physical Fitness, Running, Muscle, Skeletal, Muscle Fibers, Slow-Twitch, Dietary Supplements

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