The role of brain glycogen in exercise endurance

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25560334
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Sports science
• Research Institution: University of Tsukuba
• Principal Investigator: SOYA Hideaki 筑波大学, 体育系, 教授 (50221346)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 運動持久性 / 脳グリコゲン / 脳内乳酸 / ATP

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Brain glycogen could be utilized during prolonged exhaustive exercise. However, the role of brain glycogen in exercise endurance is unclear. To address this issue, we examined the effect of inhibition of brain glycogenolysis on exercise endurance. Blockade of brain glycogenolysis and lactate transport during exercise decreased endurance capacity associated with brain ATP levels. Our results demonstrated that lactate from brain glycogen fuels the exercising brain to retain exercise endurance, providing a new understanding of brain energetics during exercise.

Free Research Field

運動生化学