From the Guidelines
The rate of muscle glycogen replenishment after exercise is approximately 1.2 g/kg/h for 4-6 hours following exercise.
Factors Influencing Replenishment
- The goal of carbohydrate replenishment after exercise is to restore lost muscle and hepatic glycogen, with current recommendations suggesting ≥ 1.2 g kg−1 h−1 carbohydrate intake for 4–6 h following the conclusion of a glycogen-depleting exercise session 1.
- Adding protein in a 4:1 carbohydrate:protein ratio may aid in recovery and will not harm glycogen repletion 1.
- The time between training/performance requirements will also dictate replenishment strategies, with athletes requiring more frequent replenishment during congested fixture schedules 1.
Optimal Replenishment Strategies
- Consuming carbohydrates during the first hour after exercise can help ensure the highest rates of muscle glycogen resynthesis 1.
- A drink containing protein, such as milk, may allow better restoration of fluid balance after exercise than a standard carbohydrate–electrolyte sports drink 1.
- Combining protein (0.2–0.4 g/kg/h) with carbohydrate (0.8 g/kg/h) has been reported to maximize protein synthesis rates 1.
Key Considerations
- Athletes should aim to reduce any fluid and electrolyte deficit soon after exercise, and consume drinks and snacks that provide macronutrients, especially to achieve carbohydrate guidelines 1.
- Daily carbohydrate intake in the range of 6–8 g/kg BM in the 24 hours following a game can help replenish glycogen stores, and this intake should be maintained for up to 48–72 hours after the match during congested fixture schedules 1.
From the Research
Rate of Muscle Glycogen Replenishment
The rate of muscle glycogen replenishment after exercise is influenced by several factors, including the type and amount of carbohydrate consumed.
- The study 2 found that consuming foods with a high glycemic index (GI) resulted in a greater increase in muscle glycogen content after 24 hours of recovery compared to consuming foods with a low GI.
- Another study 3 found that adding proteins and arginine to a carbohydrate diet did not significantly increase the rate of glycogen synthesis compared to a carbohydrate-only diet.
- The amount of carbohydrate consumed also plays a role, with one study 4 finding that muscle glycogen storage was significantly increased after ingestion of either 1.5 or 3.0 g glucose/kg body weight, but the rates of muscle glycogen storage were not different between the two amounts.
- The timing of carbohydrate ingestion is also important, with a study 5 finding that delaying the ingestion of high glycemic index food by 2 hours had no effect on the rate of muscle glycogen resynthesis at 8 and 24 hours post-exercise, as long as sufficient carbohydrate was ingested during the recovery period.
Factors Affecting Glycogen Replenishment
Several factors can affect the rate of muscle glycogen replenishment, including:
- Type of carbohydrate consumed 2
- Amount of carbohydrate consumed 4
- Timing of carbohydrate ingestion 5
- Addition of proteins and arginine to a carbohydrate diet 3
Glycogen Metabolism
Muscle glycogen metabolism is complex and involves the storage and breakdown of glycogen in muscle tissue.
- A study 6 discussed the importance of glycogen metabolism for single and intermittent bouts of high-intensity exercise and outlined possible underlying mechanisms for a relationship between muscle glycogen and fatigue during these types of exercise.