The pregame meal is intended to replenish glycogen stores in which tissues?

• A. Heart and brain
• B. Liver and resting muscle
• C. Adipose tissue
• D. Kidneys

Answer: (B)

When you eat carbohydrates, insulin rises and drives glucose into tissues that store glycogen: the liver and skeletal muscle. The liver uses glucose to replenish its glycogen so it can help maintain blood glucose during activity. Skeletal muscle also stores glycogen to be used as a fuel source during exercise. Brain tissue relies on a constant glucose supply and does not store glycogen, adipose tissue stores fat rather than glycogen, and kidneys have only small, insignificant glycogen reserves. Therefore, a pregame meal aims to refill glycogen in the liver and resting (non–active) skeletal muscle.