Pamukkale Journal of Sport Sciences, cilt.16, sa.1, ss.88-111, 2025 (Scopus)
This study aims to determine the acute effects of aerobic endurance exercises performed at different body glycogen levels on biochemical parameters related to energy metabolism. The study included 14 male amateur football players with an average age of 20.38 ± 2 years. Aerobic endurance exercises were performed under conditions of low liver glycogen after a 10-12 hour fasted (FST) state and under a postprandial (PPD) state, as well as under conditions of full and low body glycogen (partially reduced by the first exercise). These exercises consisted of two 60-minute sessions on a cycle ergometer with a 60-minute rest interval in between. Blood samples were collected from participants before and after all exercises. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 28.0 software, utilizing the paired simple t-test, Wilcoxon test, one-way ANOVA, Friedman analysis, and post-hoc tests with a significance level of p < 0.05. In PPD with low glycogen, glucose levels decreased during exercise, whereas in FST with low glycogen, insulin levels decreased in both exercises. Cortisol levels increased in the FST low glycogen exercise. Triglycerides also increased in the FST low glycogen exercise. Albumin levels increased in the FST, and the PPD and low glycogen exercise; similarly, levels increased in the PPD low glycogen exercise (p < 0.05). In conclusion, glucose levels were maintained during the FST and PPD low glycogen exercises, while the highest triglyceride breakdown occurred during the FST low glycogen exercise.