What Is Glycogen And Why Is It Important In Sports

in life •  8 years ago 

Hello everybody!

Last time I wrote about refilling glycogen stores, so I think it's time to write about what is actually gylcogen and why is he so important.

Let me put it simply, Glycogen is the storage form of carbohydrates in mammals.

Glycogen is the main way the body stores glucose for later use. This is a large molecule that is produced in the liver, muscle cells and fat cells.
In the liver, glycogen synthesis and degradation is regulated in order to maintain blood glucose levels, according to the requirements of the organism as a whole.

The body breaks down carbohydrates from the food we eat and converts them into a type of sugar - glucose.
Glucose is the primary source of energy for our cells. When the body does not use glucose for energy, it is stored in the liver and muscles. This stored form of glucose is made up of molecules of glucose, called glycogen. When the body needs quick energy source, glycogen releases glucose into the bloodstream, which is exploited as' energy for the cell.

Fatigue occurs when they are exhausted reserves of glycogen in the muscles. After the exercise, the rate of glycogen synthesis is increased. Insulin stimulates the entry of glucose into the cells and the synthesis of glycogen, which is elevated after exercise.

The function of glycogen

Glycogen in the muscles also play an important role in the normal functioning of the human organism. The main function of our muscles is the body movement. This allows us to perform all the tasks that we face in everyday life.
After the first 8-10 seconds of movement, the body begins to use the glycolytic path for energy use.

Glycogen participates in a process known as glycolysis, which is the process of breaking up the carbohydrate. It takes approximately 10 seconds of physical activity to 2 or 3 minutes. Energy for glycolysis comes from glucose or glycogen.

Lack of glycogen

When the lack of glycogen and energy. During physical activity, because there is no energy, muscles will begin to decline, there will be a state of catabolism, which means that literally begins to eat itself.

Thanks for reading!
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