Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Paper
  • Published:

Substrate oxidation differences between high- and low-intensity exercise are compensated over 24 hours in obese men

International Journal of Obesity volume 28, pages 759–765 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Exercise has been proposed as a tool for the prevention of obesity. Apart from an effect on energy expenditure, in particular low-intensity (LI) exercise might also influence substrate metabolism in favour of fat oxidation. It is however unclear what is the most beneficial exercise regime for obese people. We therefore studied the effect of either high-intensity (HI) or LI exercise on 24 h energy expenditure (24 h EE) and substrate metabolism.

METHODS: Eight healthy obese male volunteers (age: 38±1 y, BMI: 31±1 kg/m2, Wmax: 235±16 W) stayed in the respiration chamber for two nights and the day in-between. In the chamber they cycled either at a HI (three times 30 min in a interval protocol (2.5 min 80/50% Wmax)) or LI (three times 60 min continuously at 38% Wmax) protocol with an equicaloric energy expenditure. In the chamber subjects were fed in energy balance (37/48/15% of energy as fat/carbohydrate/protein).

RESULTS: The 24 h EE was not significantly different between protocols. In both protocols, sleeping metabolic rate (SMR) was elevated after the exercise (average+6.7%). The 24 h respiratory quotient (24 h RQ) was not different between protocols. During exercise, RQ was higher in the HI compared to the LI protocol (0.93 vs 0.91 resp., P<0.05), whereas in the postexercise period RQ tended to be lower in the HI compared to the LI protocol (P=0.06).

CONCLUSION: 24 h EE is not differently affected by HI or LI exercise in obese men. Similarly, the differences in HI and LI exercise, RQ are compensated postexercise leading to similar substrate oxidation patterns over 24 h independently of the level of exercise intensity.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Figure 1
Figure 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Schrauwen P, Westerterp KR . The role of high-fat diets and physical activity in the regulation of body weight. Br J Nutr 2000; 84: 417–427.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Saris WHM . Physical activity and body weight regulation. In: Bouchard C, Bray GA (eds) Regulation of body weight: Biological and behavorial mechanisms. John Wiley & Sons Ltd: New York; 1996. pp 135–148.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Ballor DL, Keesey RE . A meta-analysis of the factors affecting exercise-induced changes in body mass, fat mass and fat-free mass in males and females. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 1991; 15: 717–726.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. van Baak MA, van Mil E, Astrup AV, Finer N, Van Gaal LF, Hilsted J, Kopelman PG, Rossner S, James WP, Saris WH, STORM Study Group. Leisure-time activity is an important determinant of longterm weight maintenance after weightloss in the sibutramine trial on obesity reduction and maintenance (Strom trial). Am J Clin Nutr 2003; 78: 209–214.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Saris WHM, Blair SN, van Baak MA, Eaton SB, Davies PSW, Di Pietro L, Fogelholm M, Rissanen A, Schoeller D, Swinburn B, Tremblay A, Westerterp KR, Wyatt H . How much physical activity is enough to prevent unhealthy weight gain? Outcome of the IASO 1st Stock Conference and Consensus Statement. Obes Rev 2003; 4: 101–114.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Hunter GR, Weinsier RL, Bamman MM, Larson DE . A role for high intensity exercise on energy balance and weight control. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 1998; 22: 489–493.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Poehlman ET, Melby CL, Bradylak SF, Calles J . Resting metabolic rate and postprandial thermogenesis in highly trained and untrained males. Am J Clin Nutr 1988; 47: 793–798.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Tremblay A, Fontaine E, Poehlman ET, Mitchell D, Perron L, Bouchard C . The effect of exercise-training on resting metabolic rate in lean and obese moderately obese individuals. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 1986; 10: 511–517.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Pratley R, Nicklas B, Rubin M, Miller J, Smith A, Smith M, Hurley B, Goldberg A . Strength training increases resting metabolic rate and norepinephrine levels in healthy 50- to 65-yr-old men. J Appl Physiol 1994; 76: 133–137.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Schulz LO, Nyomba BL, Alger S, Anderson TE, Ravussin E . Effect of endurance training on sedentary energy expenditure measured in a respiratory chamber. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 1991; 260: E257–E261.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Davis JR, Tagliaferro AR, Kertzer R, Gerardo T, Nichols J, Wheeler J . Variations in dietary-induced thermogenesis and body fatness with aerobic capacity. Eur J Appl Physiol 1983; 50: 319–329.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Westerterp KR, Meijer GAL, Schoffelen P, Janssen E . Body mass, body composition and sleeping metabolic rate before, during and after endurance training. Eur J Appl Physiol 1994; 69: 203–208.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Gore CJ, Whither RT . The effect of exercise intensity and duration on the oxygen deficit and excess post-exercise oxygen consumption. Eur J Appl Physiol 1990; 60: 169–174.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Phelain JF, Reinke E, Harris MA, Melby CL . Postexercise energy expenditure and substrate oxidation in young women resulting from exercise bouts of different intensity. J Am Coll Nutr 1997; 16: 140–146.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Smith J, Naughton L . The effects of intensity of exercise on excess postexercise oxygen consumption and energy expenditure in moderately trained men and women. Eur J Appl Physiol 1993; 67: 420–425.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Sedlock DA, Fissinger JA, Melby CL . Effect of exercise intensity and duration on postexercise energy expenditure. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1989; 21: 662–666.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Sedlock DA . Effect of exercise intensity on postexercise energy expenditure in women. Br J Sports Med 1991; 25: 38–40.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  18. Astrup A, Buemann B, Christensen NJ, Toubro S . Failure to increase lipid oxidation in response to increasing dietary fat content in formerly obese women. Am J Physiol 1994; 266: E592–E599.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Blaak EE, Baak MAv, Kemerink GJ, Pakbiers MTW, Heidendal GAK, Saris WHM . β-Adrenergic stimulation of energy expenditure and forearm skeletal muscle metabolism in lean and obese men. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 1994; 267: E306–E315.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Schrauwen P, van Marken Lichtenbelt WD, Saris WH, Westerterp KR . Changes in fat oxidation in response to a high-fat diet. Am J Clin Nutr 1997; 66: 276–282.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Bielinski R, Schutz Y, Jéquier E . Energy metabolism during the postexercise recovery in man. Am J Clin Nutr 1985; 42: 69–82.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Schrauwen P, van Marken Lichtenbelt WD, Saris WH, Westerterp KR . Role of glycogen-lowering exercise in the change of fat oxidation in response to a high-fat diet. Am J Physiol 1997; 273: E623–E629.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Schrauwen P, Lichtenbelt WD, Saris WH, Westerterp KR . Fat balance in obese subjects: role of glycogen stores. Am J Physiol 1998; 274: E1027–1033.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Romijn JA, Coyle EF, Sidossis LS, Gastaldelli A, Horowitz JF, Endert E, Wolfe RR . Regulation of endogenous fat and carbohydrate metabolism in relation to exercise intensity and duration. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 1993; 265: E380–E391.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Treuth MS, Hunter GR, Williams M . Effects of exercise intensity on 24h-energy expenditure and substrate oxidation. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1996; 28: 1138–1144.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Melanson EL, Sharp TA, Seagle HM, Horton TJ, Donahoo WT, Grunwald GK, Hamilton JT, Hill JO . Effect of exercise intensity on 24-h energy expenditure and nutrient oxidation. J Appl Physiol 2002; 92: 1045–1052.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Stichting-Nederlands-Voedingsstoffenbestand. NEVO Tabel, Voorlichtingsbureau voor de voeding, Den Haag, 1993. [in Dutch].

  28. Siri WE . The gross composition of the body. Adv Biol Med Physiol 1956; 4: 239–280.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Schoffelen PF, Westerterp KR, Saris WH, Ten Hoor F . A dual-respiration chamber system with automated calibration. J Appl Physiol 1997; 83: 2064–2072.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Weir JB . New methods for calculating metabolic rate with special reference to protein metabolism. J Physiol 1949; 109: 1–9.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  31. Brouwer E . On simple formulae for calculating the heat expenditure and the quantities of carbohydrate and fat oxidized in metabolism of men and animals, from gaseous exchange (oxygen intake and carbonic acid output) and urine-n. Acta Physiol Pharmacol Neerlandica 1957; 6: 795–802.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Saris WHM . Physical inactivity and metabolic factors as predictors of weight gain. Nutr Rev 1996; 54: S110–S115.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Treuth MS, Hunter GR, Weinsier RL, Kell SH . Energy expenditure and substrate utilization in older women after strength training: 24-h calorimeter results. J Appl Physiol 1995; 78: 2140–2146.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Bahr R, Ingnes I, Vaage O, Sejersted OM, Newsholme EA . Effect of duration of exercise on excess postexercise O2 consumption. J Appl Physiol 1987; 62: 485–490.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Ravussin E, Lillioja S, Knowler WC, Christin L, Freymond D, Abbott WG, Boyce V, Howard BV, Bogardus C . Reduced rate of energy expenditure as a risk factor for body-weight gain. N Engl J Med 1988; 318: 467–472.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Westerterp KR . Alterations in energy balance with exercise. Am J Clin Nutr 1998; 68: 970S–974S.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Gaesser GA, Brooks GA . Muscular efficiency during steady-state exercise: effects of speed and work rate. J Appl Physiol 1975; 38: 1132–1139.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Flatt JP . The difference in the storage capacities for carbohydrate and for fat, and its implications in the regulation of body weight. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1987; 499: 104–123.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Van Aggel-Leijssen DP, Saris WH, Wagenmakers AJ, Senden JM, Van Baak MA . Effect of exercise training at different intensities on fat metabolism of obese men. J Appl Physiol 2002; 92: 1300–1309.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Tremblay A, Despres JP, Leblanc C, Craig CL, Ferris B, Stephens T, Bouchard C . Effect of intensity of physical activity on body fatness and fat distribution. Am J Clin Nutr 1990; 51: 153–157.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Dionne I, Almeras N, Bouchard C, Tremblay A . The association between vigorous physical activities and fat deposition in male adolescents. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2000; 32: 392–395.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Yoshioka M, Doucet E, St-Pierre S, Almeras N, Richard D, Labrie A, Despres JP, Bouchard C, Tremblay A . Impact of high-intensity exercise on energy expenditure, lipid oxidation and body fatness. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 2001; 25: 332–339.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Wing RR, Jackicic JM . Changing lifestyle: moving from sedentary to active. In: Bouchard C (ed) Physical activity and obesity. Human Kinetics: Champaign, IL; 2000. pp 372–389.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank Marjolein van Gaalen and Sander van Vught for their assistance in collecting data.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nutrition and Toxicology Research Institute Maastricht (NUTRIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands

    W H M Saris & P Schrauwen

Authors
  1. W H M Saris
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. P Schrauwen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to W H M Saris.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Saris, W., Schrauwen, P. Substrate oxidation differences between high- and low-intensity exercise are compensated over 24 hours in obese men. Int J Obes 28, 759–765 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0802631

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0802631

Keywords

This article is cited by

Search

Advanced search

Quick links