What does glycogen loading involve?

Glycogen loading, also known as carbohydrate loading, involves increasing carbohydrate intake before an endurance event to maximize the storage of glycogen in the muscles and liver. Glycogen is the body's preferred energy source during prolonged physical activity, especially for endurance athletes. By consuming a higher quantity of carbohydrates in the days leading up to an event, athletes can increase their glycogen reserves significantly, which can help improve performance and delay fatigue during the event. This practice is particularly beneficial for activities lasting longer than 90 minutes, as it allows the athlete to maintain higher intensity levels for a more extended period without depleting energy stores.

Reducing carbohydrate intake prior to an event is counterproductive for this purpose, as it would lead to lower glycogen levels. Likewise, increasing protein intake does not contribute to glycogen storage, and simply reducing fat intake does not directly affect glycogen levels either. Therefore, increasing carbohydrate intake is fundamental in glycogen loading to enhance athletic performance.