AMP-activated protein kinase AMPK plays a crucial role in regulating glucose metabolism during exercise. It serves as a cellular energy sensor and metabolic regulator, ensuring that energy supply meets the energy demand of the cell. During exercise, the energy demand increases, and the cellular ATP levels decrease, leading to an increase in the AMP/ATP ratio. This increase in the AMP/ATP ratio activates AMPK, which then triggers several metabolic pathways to maintain energy homeostasis.Here are some of the key roles of AMPK in regulating glucose metabolism during exercise:1. Glucose uptake: AMPK stimulates glucose uptake in skeletal muscle by promoting the translocation of glucose transporter 4 GLUT4 to the cell membrane. This process enhances the entry of glucose into the muscle cells, providing a vital energy source during exercise.2. Glycolysis: AMPK promotes glycolysis, the breakdown of glucose into pyruvate, by activating key glycolytic enzymes such as 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase PFK-2 and phosphofructokinase-1 PFK-1 . This process generates ATP to meet the increased energy demand during exercise.3. Inhibition of glycogen synthesis: AMPK inhibits glycogen synthesis by phosphorylating and inactivating glycogen synthase, the enzyme responsible for glycogen synthesis. This ensures that glucose is preferentially used for energy production rather than being stored as glycogen during exercise.4. Fatty acid oxidation: AMPK stimulates fatty acid oxidation in skeletal muscle by activating enzymes such as carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 CPT1 and acetyl-CoA carboxylase ACC . This process increases the utilization of fatty acids as an energy source, sparing glucose for more prolonged exercise.5. Gluconeogenesis inhibition: AMPK inhibits hepatic gluconeogenesis, the production of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources, by suppressing the expression of key gluconeogenic enzymes such as phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase PEPCK and glucose-6-phosphatase G6Pase . This action helps to maintain blood glucose levels during exercise.In summary, AMPK plays a central role in regulating glucose metabolism during exercise by promoting glucose uptake, glycolysis, and fatty acid oxidation while inhibiting glycogen synthesis and gluconeogenesis. These actions collectively ensure that the energy supply meets the increased energy demand during exercise, maintaining cellular energy homeostasis and supporting optimal physical performance.