What is the primary function of muscle glycogen?

Muscle glycogen serves as the primary stored fuel source for skeletal muscle contractions during activities of varying intensity and duration. When the body breaks down glucose from carbohydrates in food, it stores excess glucose as glycogen in the liver and skeletal muscles. During physical activity, muscle cells rapidly break down glycogen through a process called glycogenolysis to release glucose molecules. These glucose molecules are then converted into energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the body's main energy currency, which fuels muscle contractions and allows for sustained physical performance. Therefore, muscle glycogen is crucial for providing readily available energy to skeletal muscles during exercise or demanding physical tasks.