How different amounts of protein, fat, and carbs affect muscle energy recovery after strength exercise

Consumption of isoenergetic carbohydrate or carbohydrate/protein/fat drinks resulted in significantly greater rates of muscle glycogen resynthesis after resistance exercise.

• Plasma insulin and glucose levels were significantly higher after consumption of CHO/Pro/fat and CHO drinks compared to placebo.
• Muscle glycogen levels were significantly lower in the exercised leg compared to the control leg immediately post-exercise in all conditions.
• The rate of glycogen resynthesis was significantly higher for both CHO/Pro/fat (23.0 ± 4.5 mmol/kg dry muscle/h) and CHO (19.3 ± 6.1 mmol/kg dry muscle/h) compared to placebo (2.8 ± 2.3 and 1.4 ± 3.6 mmol/kg dry muscle/h for exercised and control legs, respectively).
• These findings indicate that both total energy and carbohydrate content may be important for muscle glycogen restoration following resistance exercise.

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