All Glossary Terms
Nutrition
Glycogen
The stored form of carbohydrates in muscles and liver, used as fuel during exercise.
Glycogen is how your body stores carbohydrates, primarily in muscles and liver. Muscle glycogen fuels intense exercise, while liver glycogen maintains blood sugar. A trained adult stores about 400-500g of glycogen. Depleting glycogen impairs high-intensity performance, which is why carbs matter for athletes.
Examples
- 400-500g stored in muscles and liver
- Depleted during intense exercise
- Carb loading fills glycogen stores