Effect of exercise training at different intensities on fat metabolism of obese men

D.P.C. van Leijssen - Aggel*, W.H.M. Saris, A.J.M. Wagenmakers, J.M.G. Senden, M.A. van Baak

*Corresponding author for this work

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Abstract

Department of Human Biology, Nutrition, Toxicology, and Environmental Research Institute, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.

The present study investigated the effect of exercise training at different intensities on fat oxidation in obese men. Twenty-four healthy male obese subjects were randomly divided in either a low- [40% maximal oxygen consumption (VO(2 max))] or high-intensity exercise training program (70% VO(2 max)) for 12 wk, or a non-exercising control group. Before and after the intervention, measurements of fat metabolism at rest and during exercise were performed by using indirect calorimetry, [U-(13)C]palmitate, and [1,2-(13)C]acetate. Furthermore, body composition and maximal aerobic capacity were measured. Total fat oxidation did not change at rest in any group. During exercise, after low-intensity exercise training, fat oxidation was increased by 40% (P < 0.05) because of an increased non-plasma fatty acid oxidation (P < 0.05). High-intensity exercise training did not affect total fat oxidation during exercise. Changes in fat oxidation were not significantly different among groups. It was concluded that low-intensity exercise training in obese subjects seemed to increase fat oxidation during exercise but not at rest. No effect of high-intensity exercise training on fat oxidation could be shown.

Publication Types:
Clinical Trial
Randomized Controlled Trial
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1300-1309
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Applied Physiology
Volume92
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2002

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