SportsAugust 7, 2026

supercompensation

soo-per-kom-pen-SAY-shun

Definition

The physiological process in which the body recovers from exercise by storing glycogen at levels higher than the baseline before the activity occurred.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'super' (above or beyond) and 'compensare' (to weigh together or make up for), referring to the biological mechanism of over-correcting to a higher level following a period of stress or depletion.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe the excess water weight athletes may gain when they carb-load unnecessarily for short events where the performance benefits do not justify the physiological cost.

Why "Drink More, Eat More Carbs" Isn't Always Better: The Research Behind Precision Fueling

Read the full article ↗

lemonwire.com

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