24-Hour Carb-Loading After Short, Intense ExerciseIncreases Glycogen Stores

CRAWLEY, Australia--Carb-loading following a short-term bout ofhigh-intensity exercise may increase glycogen levels within 24 hours, accordingto researchers from the University of Western Australia, whose study appeared inthe June Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise (34:980-6, 2002)(www.ms-se.com). Seven endurance-trainedathletes cycled for 150 seconds at top speeds followed by 30 seconds of all-outcycling. In the following 24 hours, subjects were asked to consume 12 g/kg oflean body mass of high-carbohydrate foods with a high glycemic index.

Researchers found that muscle glycogen levels increased from preloadinglevels, an action that is comparable to the levels achieved when carb-loadingover a two- to six-day regimen.