 Intramuscular triacylglycerol serves as an energy store that can be used during exercise, when it may contribute up to 20% of total energy turnover (depending on diet, gender, and exercise type).Scientists think that a low-calorie diet and exercise-induced proteins (Sterol regulatory element-binding protein) cause the high levels of IMTG in athletes' skeletal muscle.In contrast, the build-up of IMTG in obese individuals correlates to high levels of adipose tissue.