McArdle disease (muscle glycogenosis type V) is a disease caused by myophosphorylase deficiency leading to 'blocked' glycogen breakdown. A significant but varying glycogen accumulation in especially distal hind limb muscles of mice affected by McArdle disease has recently been demonstrated. In this study, we investigated how myophosphorylase deficiency affects glucose metabolism in hind limb muscle of 20-week old McArdle mice and vastus lateralis muscles from patients with McArdle disease. Western blotting and activity assay demonstrated that glycogen synthase was inhibited in glycolytic muscle from McArdle mice. The level and activation of proteins involved in contraction-induced glucose transport (AMPK, GLUT4) and glycogen synthase inhibition were increased in quadriceps muscle of McArdle mice. In addition, pCaMKII in quadriceps was reduced, suggesting lower insulin-induced glucose uptake, which could lead to lower glycogen accumulation. In comparison, tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus and soleus had massive glycogen accumulation, but few, if any, changes or adaptations in glucose metabolism compared to wild-type. The findings suggest plasticity in glycogen metabolism in the McArdle mouse that is related to myosin heavy chain type IIB content in muscles. In patients, the level of GLUT4 was vastly increased as were hexokinase II and phosphofructokinase, and glycogen synthase was more inhibited, suggesting that patients adapt by increasing capture of glucose for direct metabolism, thereby significantly reducing glycogen buildup compared to the mouse model. Hence, the McArdle mouse may be a useful tool for further comparative studies of disease mechanism caused by myophosphorylase deficiency and basic studies of metabolic adaptation in muscle.