Sprint-trained swimmers were found to have greater anaerobic capacities and higher anaerobic energy release values than endurance-trained swimmers. Glycogen restoration occurred in two stages that are related to the type of training program. In the first two hours after an intense session, sprint-trained athletes begin restoring glycogen. However, endurance-trained swimmers continued to use glycogen and restoration was delayed. However, after 24 hours, there was no difference in the amount of restoration. The timing of the restoration differentiated the two trained states.
Endurance-trained swimmers use more glycogen in a training session than do sprinters because of the training volume difference. Thus, the availability of glycogen is critical for successful training.
Implication. When training volumes are high, whether for sprint or endurance training, carbohydrate intake monitoring is necessary. Because of the different levels of strain of the two forms of training, glycogen restoration is initially quicker in sprinters. They should be able to repeat performances easier in back-to-back training sessions. However, if they cannot, then glycogen depletion might be a reasonable explanation for the inability. Six to eight hours between training sessions usually allows some substantial, although often incomplete, restoration to occur.
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