Does exercise duration affect Fatmax in overweight boys?

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.

Regular Exercise to Prevent the Recurrence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of a supervised home-based exercise program on the recurrence and severity of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) together with other aspects of maternal health and obstetric and neonatal outcomes. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial allocated women with a history of GDM to an exercise intervention (14-week supervised home-based stationary cycling program) or to a control group (standard care) at 13±1 weeks of gestation. The primary outcome was a diagnosis of GDM. Secondary outcomes included maternal fitness, psychological well-being, and obstetric and neonatal outcomes. A sample size of 180 (90 in each group) was required to attain 80% power to detect a 40% reduction in the incidence of GDM. RESULTS: Between June 2011 and July 2014, 205 women provided written consent and completed baseline assessments. Of these, 33 (16%) were subsequently excluded as a result of an elevated baseline oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), leaving 172 randomized to exercise (n=85) or control (n=87). Three women miscarried before the assessment of outcome measures (control=2; exercise=1). All remaining women completed the postintervention OGTT. The recurrence rate of GDM was similar between groups (control 40% [n=34]; exercise 40.5% [n=34]; P=.95) and the severity of GDM at diagnosis was unaffected by the exercise program with similar glucose and insulin responses to the OGTT (glucose 2 hours post-OGTT 7.7±1.5 compared with 7.6±1.6 mmol/L; P>.05). Maternal fitness was improved by the exercise program (P<.01) and psychological distress was reduced (P=.02). There were no differences in obstetric and neonatal outcomes between groups (P>.05). CONCLUSION: Supervised home-based exercise started at 14 weeks of gestation did not prevent the recurrence of GDM; however, it was associated with important benefits for maternal fitness and psychological well-being. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, https://clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01283854.

Optimising sprint interval exercise to maximise energy expenditure and enjoyment in overweight boys.

The aim of this study was to identify the sprint frequency that when supplemented to continuous exercise at the intensity that maximises fat oxidation (Fat(max)), optimises energy expenditure, acute postexercise energy intake and enjoyment. Eleven overweight boys completed 30 min of either continuous cycling at Fat(max) (MOD), or sprint interval exercise that consisted of continuous cycling at Fat(max) interspersed with 4-s maximal sprints every 2 min (SI(120)), every 1 min (SI(60)), or every 30 s (SI(30)). Energy expenditure was assessed during exercise, after which participants completed a modified Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES) followed by a buffet-type breakfast to measure acute postexercise energy intake. Energy expenditure increased with increasing sprint frequency (p < 0.001), but the difference between SI(60) and SI(30) did not reach significance (p = 0.076), likely as a result of decreased sprint quality as indicated by a significant decline in peak power output from SI(60) to SI(30) (p = 0.034). Postexercise energy intake was similar for MOD, SI(120), and SI(30) (p > 0.05), but was significantly less for SI(60) compared with MOD (p = 0.025). PACES was similar for MOD, SI(120), and SI(60) (p > 0.05), but was less for SI(30) compared with MOD (p = 0.038), SI(120) (p = 0.009), and SI(60) (p = 0.052). In conclusion, SI(60) appears optimal for overweight boys given that it maximises energy expenditure (i.e., there was no additional increase in expenditure with a further increase in sprint frequency) without prompting increased energy intake. This, coupled with the fact that enjoyment was not compromised, may have important implications for increased adherence and long-term energy balance.

Adding sprints to continuous exercise at the intensity that maximises fat oxidation: implications for acute energy balance and enjoyment.

The objective was to examine the effect of adding sprints to continuous exercise at the intensity that maximises fat oxidation (Fat(max)) on energy expenditure, substrate oxidation, enjoyment and post-exercise energy intake in boys. Nine overweight and nine normal weight boys (8-12 years) attended the laboratory on three mornings. First, body anthropometrics, peak aerobic capacity and Fat(max) were assessed. On the remaining two sessions, resting metabolic rate was determined before participants completed 30 min of either continuous cycling at Fat(max) (MOD) or sprint interval exercise consisting of continuous cycling at Fat(max) interspersed with four-second maximal sprints every two minutes (SI). Energy expenditure and substrate oxidation were measured during exercise and for 30 min post-exercise, while participants completed a modified Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES). This was followed by a buffet-like breakfast to measure post-exercise energy intake. Fat oxidation rate was similar between groups and protocols (P>0.05). Both groups expended more energy with SI compared to MOD, resulting from increased carbohydrate oxidation (P<0.05), which was not compensated by increased energy intake. Participants indicated that they preferred SI more than MOD, although there was no significant difference in PACES score between the protocols (P>0.05). In summary, the addition of short sprints to continuous exercise at Fat(max) increased energy expenditure without compromising fat oxidation or stimulating increased post-exercise energy intake. The boys preferred SI and did not perceive it to be any harder than MOD, indicating that sprint interval exercise should be considered in exercise prescription for this population.

Substrate oxidation in overweight boys at rest, during exercise and acute post-exercise recovery.

OBJECTIVE: To compare substrate oxidation between normal weight (n = 10) and overweight (n = 10) boys at rest, during exercise at 50% VO(2peak) and during the first 30 minutes of recovery post-exercise. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty boys (8-11 years) were tested over two separate occasions. At the first session, body composition was measured by Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry and peak aerobic capacity (VO(2peak)) was assessed using an incremental treadmill protocol. At least one week later, substrate oxidation was determined via indirect calorimetry in the fasted state at rest, during 10 minutes of exercise at 50% VO(2peak) and during the first 30 minutes of acute recovery post-exercise. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in substrate oxidation between the two groups at rest or during exercise. However, during early recovery, respiratory exchange ratio (RER) transiently increased in the overweight boys (p = 0.034) but not in the normal weight boys (p = 0.796), with a shift towards greater carbohydrate oxidation in the former group at 15-20 (p = 0.044) and 25-30 (p = 0.052) minutes post-exercise. In contrast, absolute post-exercise fat oxidation was similar between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Overweight boys may oxidise fat less efficiently than normal weight boys during recovery post-exercise, deriving a greater proportion of energy from carbohydrate oxidation.