Acute high-intensity endurance exercise is more effective than moderate-intensity exercise for attenuation of postprandial triglyceride elevation

Abstract

Acute exercise has been shown to attenuate postprandial plasma triglyceride elevation (PPTG). However, the direct contribution of exercise intensity is less well understood. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of exercise intensity on PPTG and postprandial fat oxidation. One of three experimental treatments was performed in healthy young men (n = 6): nonexercise control (CON), moderate-intensity exercise (MIE; 50% Vo2peak for 60 min), or isoenergetic high-intensity exercise (HIE; alternating 2 min at 25% and 2 min at 90% Vo2peak). The morning after the exercise, a standardized meal was provided (16 kcal/kg BM, 1.02 g fat/kg, 1.36 g CHO/kg, 0.31 g PRO/kg), and measurements of plasma concentrations of triglyceride (TG), glucose, insulin, and β-hydroxybutyrate were made in the fasted condition and hourly for 6 h postprandial. Indirect calorimetry was used to determine fat oxidation in the fasted condition and 2, 4, and 6 h postprandial. Compared with CON, both MIE and HIE significantly attenuated PPTG [incremental AUC; 75.2 (15.5%), P = 0.033, and 54.9 (13.5%), P = 0.001], with HIE also significantly lower than MIE (P = 0.03). Postprandial fat oxidation was significantly higher in MIE [83.3 (10.6%) of total energy expenditure] and HIE [89.1 (9.8) %total] compared with CON [69.0 (16.1) %total, P = 0.039, and P = 0.018, respectively], with HIE significantly greater than MIE (P = 0.012). We conclude that, despite similar energy expenditure, HIE was more effective than MIE for lowering PPTG and increasing postprandial fat oxidation.

Exercise intensity and postprandial health outcomes in adolescents

“…However, interpreting the TAUC-TAG has been criticised due to its dependency on changes in fasting plasma [TAG] (Kolifa et al 2004). We therefore used the IAUC-TAG to quantify the effect of exercise on plasma [TAG] following the HFM as recommended (Carstensen et al 2003), which is consistent with other PPL studies (Petitt et al 2003;Trombold et al 2013). …”

“…Furthermore, an acute bout of low volume HIIE running performed 15.5 h before a HFM can reduce TAUC-TAG (~11%, ES=0.50) and IAUC-TAG (~15%, ES=0.39) over a 6.5 h postprandial period in healthy 11-12 y old boys ). Given recent data in healthy adult men showing HIIE to be more effectual at attenuating PPL compared to an isoenergetic bout of MIE (Trombold et al 2013), we reasoned HIIE would offer either a similar or superior attenuation of PPL in adolescents compared to a workmatched bout of MIE. In contrast, the present study indicates that reductions in TAUC-TAG…”

“…Furthermore, an increase in postprandial resting fat oxidation was related to the beneficial effects of HIIE on PPL (Trombold et al 2013). It has recently been demonstrated that HIIE can lower PPL in 12-13 y old boys , but this study did not compare the efficacy of HIIE to a bout of isoenergetic MIE to isolate the effect of exercise intensity.…”

“…It has previously been shown that changes in TAUC-TAG are largely attributable to differences in baseline [TAG] after exercise (Kolifa et al 2004), and that IAUC-TAG more accurately describes the [TAG] response after a test meal (Carstensen et al 2003). Consequently, the IAUC analysis was used to account for changes in baseline plasma [TAG] across the experimental conditions prior to the HFM and adopted as our primary outcome measure which is in line with previous studies (Petitt et al 2003;Trombold et al 2013). All AUC analyses were calculated using the time point immediately before the HFM (baseline).…”

“…Recent evidence has identified that low volume, high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) can lower PPL in healthy young adults (Freese et al 2011), and may be more effective than moderate intensity exercise (MIE) (Trombold et al 2013). Furthermore, an increase in postprandial resting fat oxidation was related to the beneficial effects of HIIE on PPL (Trombold et al 2013).…”