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Inside Exercise

#39 - Why muscle glycogen is important with Dr Niels Ørtenblad

Mar 25, 2023
Dr Niels Ørtenblad, an expert on muscle glycogen from the University of Southern Denmark, discusses the history of muscle glycogen research, the effects of diet and exercise on glycogen levels, the correlation between glycogen and muscle fatigue, and the efficiency of carbohydrate use during exercise. The podcast also explores the relationship between exercise intensity and glycogen utilization, the impact of calcium levels on glycogen depletion, and the importance of collaboration in scientific research.
01:13:49

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Quick takeaways

  • Maintaining optimal levels of muscle glycogen is crucial for sustaining high-intensity exercise and delaying fatigue.
  • Early researchers established the belief that carbohydrates, including glycogen, were the primary source of energy during exercise, laying the foundation for our understanding of glycogen's importance in exercise physiology.

Deep dives

The importance of muscle glycogen for exercise intensity and fatigue

Muscle glycogen plays a crucial role in exercise intensity and fatigue. As exercise intensity increases, the reliance on carbohydrates, specifically glycogen, also increases. Higher intensity exercise requires more glycogen for energy. Additionally, during prolonged exercise, muscle glycogen can become depleted, leading to fatigue. This link between muscle glycogen and fatigue has been extensively studied, exploring factors such as different exercise intensities, durations, carbohydrate ingestion, and endurance training. Overall, maintaining optimal levels of muscle glycogen is essential for sustaining high-intensity exercise and delaying fatigue.

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