Which hormone is primarily responsible for increasing glucose availability in the blood during exercise?

The hormone responsible for increasing glucose availability in the blood during exercise is glucagon. During physical activity, the body experiences a greater demand for energy as muscles require more fuel. Glucagon plays a crucial role in maintaining blood glucose levels by promoting the breakdown of glycogen, stored in the liver, into glucose. This process, known as glycogenolysis, ensures that the necessary glucose is released into the bloodstream, providing a readily available source of energy for working muscles.

Additionally, glucagon stimulates gluconeogenesis, which is the creation of glucose from non-carbohydrate substrates, further contributing to increased glucose availability. This hormonal response is vital during exercise, especially in moderate to intense activities where energy demands exceed the current supply from circulating glucose.

Insulin, on the other hand, facilitates the uptake of glucose by cells and is typically active after a meal to lower blood sugar levels, making it counterproductive during exercise when glucose is needed. Cortisol, while a hormone that can influence glucose metabolism, primarily addresses long-term energy needs and stress responses rather than immediate glucose availability during exercise. Adrenaline does play a role in stimulating energy release, but its primary effect is on the mobilization of glucose from glycogen, similar to glucagon, rather than