Does exercise duration affect Fatmax in overweight boys?

ABSTRACT

To compare the assessment of Fat(max) using a single graded exercise test with 3 min stages against 30 min prolonged exercise bouts in overweight boys. Ten overweight boys (8-12 years) attended the laboratory on seven separate occasions. On the first visit, body anthropometrics and peak aerobic capacity ([Formula see text]O(2peak)) were assessed. Following this, each participant attended the laboratory after an overnight fast for six morning cycling sessions. During the first session, participants completed a continuous, submaximal graded exercise protocol with seven 3 min stages (GRAD) at 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60 and 65% [Formula see text]O(2peak). The final five visits consisted of a 30 min bout of prolonged exercise (PROL) performed in a counterbalanced order at 40, 45, 50, 55 and 60% [Formula see text]O(2peak). There was no effect of exercise duration on Fat(max) or the absolute rate of fat oxidation during PROL (p > 0.05). At the group level, GRAD and PROL provided similar estimates of Fat(max) (GRAD 53 ± 10% [Formula see text]O(2peak); PROL 53 ± 10% [Formula see text]O(2peak); p = 0.995); however, individual variation between the two protocols is shown by a systematic bias and residual error of 0 ± 11% [Formula see text]O(2peak). Fat oxidation rates remained stable across 30 min of steady-state exercise in overweight boys. Furthermore, Fat(max) was similar at 3, 10, 20 and 30 min of exercise, suggesting that for exercise lasting ≤ 30 min, exercise duration does not affect Fat(max). However, Fat(max) determined with GRAD may need to be interpreted with caution at the individual level given the variation in Fat(max) between protocols.