Why does skeletal muscle store glycogen?

Skeletal muscle stores glycogen primarily to provide a quick energy source. Glycogen is a polysaccharide that serves as a readily accessible form of glucose, which is essential for muscle contraction during physical activities. When skeletal muscle is in use, especially during high-intensity or prolonged exercise, it relies heavily on glycogen to generate ATP (adenosine triphosphate) quickly and efficiently.

This stored glycogen can be rapidly broken down into glucose units through glycogenolysis, especially when immediate energy demands arise. The ability to mobilize this energy quickly makes glycogen crucial for muscle performance, particularly in activities that require bursts of power or sustained efforts over time. Thus, the storage of glycogen is a key adaptation in skeletal muscle to ensure sufficient energy availability when needed.