What occurs to muscle glycogen levels in athletes experiencing overtraining?

Athletes experiencing overtraining typically exhibit decreased muscle glycogen levels. Overtraining syndrome can lead to a maladaptation in the body, characterized by chronic fatigue, decreased performance, and altered metabolic responses. When athletes undergo excessive training without adequate recovery, their bodies may struggle to replenish glycogen stores effectively. This impaired replenishment occurs due to various factors, such as hormonal imbalances, increased energy expenditure, and insufficient dietary carbohydrate intake, all of which contribute to the depletion of muscle glycogen.

As a result, the muscle’s ability to store glycogen diminishes, making it more difficult for athletes to sustain prolonged exercise and leading to decreased performance. This is particularly significant because adequate glycogen levels are essential for high-intensity training and recovery, making it critical for athletes to monitor their training loads and recovery practices to avoid entering a state of overtraining.