The Claim
In elite male racewalkers with habitual carbohydrate intake of 12.7 g·kg⁻¹·day⁻¹, a 2-day very-high-carbohydrate diet (15.9 g·kg⁻¹·day⁻¹) combined with training tapering is associated with a 121% increase in muscle glycogen concentration in the posterior thigh and an 18% increase in the anterior thigh, along with a 1.8 kg increase in body mass.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
In elite male racewalkers who normally eat 12.7 grams of carbohydrate per kilogram of body weight per day, increasing intake to 15.9 grams per kilogram per day for two days while reducing training increases muscle glycogen by 121% in the back of the thigh and 18% in the front of the thigh, and increases body weight by 1.8 kilograms.
See the scientific wording
In an elite male racewalker with habitual carbohydrate intake of 12.7 g·kg⁻¹·day⁻¹, a 2-day very-high-carbohydrate diet (15.9 g·kg⁻¹·day⁻¹) combined with training tapering was associated with a 121% increase in muscle glycogen concentration in the posterior thigh and a 18% increase in the anterior thigh, alongside a 1.8 kg increase in body mass, suggesting that extreme carbohydrate loading may further elevate glycogen stores beyond standard recommendations in highly trained athletes.
When an athlete eats a lot more carbohydrates than usual while resting, blood sugar rises sharply, which tells the body to release insulin. Insulin turns on a key enzyme that builds glycogen inside muscle cells. At the same time, resting reduces how much glycogen the muscles burn, so more glycogen builds up than before. Each gram of glycogen pulls in several grams of water, making the muscles heavier and the body gain weight. Muscles that work the hardest during training store the most extra glycogen.
What the research says
1 studyIn one top racewalker, eating even more carbs than usual for two days while resting made his muscles store way more fuel—especially in the back of his thighs—and made him gain nearly 2 pounds from water. The study confirms this worked, even if it made him feel bloated.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.