What does the pregame meal primarily do?

• A. Hydrates the body
• B. Stores carbohydrates (glycogen) in resting muscle and liver
• C. Increases fat oxidation
• D. Builds muscle mass

Answer: (B)

Pregame meals primarily aim to maximize available energy by replenishing carbohydrate stores as glycogen in the liver and working muscles. When you eat carbohydrates, glucose is stored as glycogen through glycogenesis, building up the fuel reserves your body will draw on during exercise. This stored glycogen is the main energy source for sustaining performance, especially at moderate to high intensities, helping maintain blood glucose and delay fatigue. Hydration and fluid intake are important, but they don’t supply the primary energy reserve for the activity. Fat oxidation tends to play a larger role when glycogen is limited, and building muscle mass is a longer-term outcome not achieved by a single pregame meal.