How long does it take to replenish 100% of muscle glycogen after exercise?

How long does it take to replenish 100% of muscle glycogen after exercise?

• A. 6 hours
• B. 48 hours
• C. 24 hours
• D. 72 hours

Answer: (C)

After exercise, muscles rebuild their glycogen stores mainly by taking up glucose from carbohydrates, with insulin helping speed up the process. When you fuel soon after activity and have ample carbs, glycogen synthesis is rapid, and most people can restore stores within about a day. So the best match is roughly 24 hours. Six hours is typically not enough for complete replenishment, while 48 or 72 hours would be longer than necessary under normal conditions unless depletion was very severe or carbohydrate intake was limited.

After exercise, muscles rebuild their glycogen stores mainly by taking up glucose from carbohydrates, with insulin helping speed up the process. When you fuel soon after activity and have ample carbs, glycogen synthesis is rapid, and most people can restore stores within about a day. So the best match is roughly 24 hours. Six hours is typically not enough for complete replenishment, while 48 or 72 hours would be longer than necessary under normal conditions unless depletion was very severe or carbohydrate intake was limited.