Glycogen Depletion
From News for Swim Parents
Published by The American Swimming Coaches Association
5101 NW 21 Ave., Suite 200
Fort Lauderdale FL 33309
Q. Can age-group children (9 12 years old) become glycogen
depleted? How can a parent detect glycogen depletion and what
should be done to correct it?
A. Yes, just like their older counterparts, age-group swimmers can
deplete, or significantly lower, the glycogen (carbohydrate) stores in
their muscles. If the body's need for energy to support growth and
training consistently exceeds the supply, the athlete will become
chronically fatigued. This fatigue is due, in part, to an
inadequate supply of glycogen in the active muscles. Until the
physical demand is reduced (training is cut back) or the supply of
dietary fuel (mainly carbohydrate) is increased, the athlete will
continue to be fatigued.
Detection of glycogen depletion is not easy because the symptoms are
similar to those elicited by other physiological problems.
However, chronic tiredness and/or early fatigue in a swimmer's normal
training or exercise routine are the most obvious signs of glycogen
depletion.
If the young athlete wants to regain his or her normal endurance and
cannot realistically reduce daily activity, an increase in daily
calories, especially carbohydrate calories is a must. Meals and
snacks containing high-carbohydrate foods, such as bagels, potatoes,
pasta, and fresh fruit, should be consumed. Concentrated liquid
carbohydrate supplements, such as EXCEED\ High Carbohydrate Source, are
also very useful in this situation. Liquid supplements provide
needed carbohydrate calories without providing the bulk that would be in
an equivalent amount of solid food. Additional bulk may not be
well tolerated during an aggressive training program.
