Comparison of three type of muscle glycogen loading interventions using a very-high-carbohydrate diet in an elite male racewalker: a case report

Consuming more carbohydrates results in greater storage of glycogen and water in muscles, which increases measurements of lean mass and the sensation of muscle fullness; consuming fewer carbohydrates results in less glycogen, water retention, lean mass measurement, and muscle fullness.

Elite male racewalkers who consumed a very high-carbohydrate diet for two days gained 1.8 kilograms in body weight, which occurred because stored glycogen retained water. This weight gain could impact performance in sports where body weight matters.

Elite male racewalkers who consumed 15.9 grams of carbohydrates per kilogram of body weight per day for two days experienced stomach discomfort and found the regimen impractical for racing, even though their muscle glycogen levels increased.

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.

After consuming a very-high-carbohydrate diet, elite male racewalkers stored more glycogen in the back of their thighs than in the front of their thighs.

In elite male racewalkers, muscle glycogen levels in the thigh differ substantially between training sessions before carbohydrate loading, and these differences are linked to variations in recent training, diet, or recovery.