Glycogen Loading

Question 1

What is glycogen loading?

Answer 1

Athletes alter their carbohydrate intake during the week before their event to maximise glycogen stores in the muscles and liver. This is associated with endurance performers.

Question 2

What are the benefits of glycogen loading?

Answer 2

•Increased glycogen store
•Increased endurance capacity
•Delays fatigue
•Increased time to exhaustion by up to 30%

Question 3

What are the risks associated with glycogen loading?

Answer 3

-Gastrointestinal problems
-Lethargy and irritability
-Poor recovery rates in the depletion state
-Increased risk of injury
-Affects mental preparation

Question 4

What is day 1 of the glycogen loading protocol?

Answer 4

•Glycogen depleting bout of endurance exercise

Question 5

What is day 2-3 of the glycogen loading protocol?

Answer 5

•High protein, high fat diet

Question 6

What is day 4 of the glycogen loading protocol?

Answer 6

•Glycogen depleting bout of endurance exercise

Question 7

What is day 5-7 of the glycogen loading protocol?

Answer 7

•High carbohydrate diet while training is tapered or reduce to resting