Several carbohydrate (CHO)-loading protocols have been used to achieve muscle glycogen supercompensation and prolong endurance performance. This study assessed the persistence of muscle glycogen supercompensation over the three days following the supercompensation protocol. Trained male athletes completed a 6-day CHO-loading protocol that included cycle ergometer exercise and dietary manipulations. The 3-day depletion phase began with 115 min of cycling at 75% peak V x O2 followed by 3 x 60 sec sprints, and included consuming a low-CHO:high-protein:high-fat (10:41:49%) diet. Subjects cycled 40 min at the same intensity for the next 2 days. During the 3-day repletion phase, subjects rested and consumed a high-CHO:low-protein:low-fat (85:08:07%) diet including a glucose polymer beverage. A 3-day post-loading phase followed, which involved a moderate-CHO diet (60%) and no exercise. Glycogen values (x- +/- SD) for vastus lateralis biopsies at baseline and post-loading days 1-3 were 408 +/- 168, 729 +/- 222, 648 +/- 186, and 714 +/- 196 mmol x kg-1 DW, respectively. The CHO-loading protocol increased muscle glycogen by 1.79 times baseline and muscle glycogen remained near this level during the 3-day post-loading period. Results indicate that supercompensated muscle glycogen levels can be maintained for at least three days in a resting athlete when consuming a moderate carbohydrate diet.
© Copyright 1997 Journal of Applied Physiology. American Physiological Society. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.