Resynthesis of glycogen in different muscle fibre types after prolonged exhaustive exercise in man

The rate of glycogen resynthesis was examined in different muscle fibre types after prolonged exhaustive exercise. Six subjects exercised to exhaustion at 75% of VO2 max, and muscle biopsies were taken after 0, 90 and 180 min of recovery. Glucose drinks (1.4, 0.7 and 0.7 g kg-1 body wt) were taken at time 0, 60 and 120 min. Photometric determination of periodic acid-Schiff stain intensity revealed a 65% faster rate of glycogen resynthesis in type IIA and IIAB as compared to type I fibres during the first 90 min. Thereafter no differences between the various fibre types were detected. No differences in the rate of glycogen resynthesis were observed between the subgroups of type II muscle fibres. These results suggest that there was a slower acceleration of glycogen resynthesis in type I compared to type II fibres. In all fibre types a positive relationship between rate of synthesis and glycogen concentration was observed. It is suggested that the size of the glycogen molecule and hence the number of available terminal glucosyl units is a major determinant of rate of resynthesis.