Effects of 2 years endurance training targeted at the level of maximal lipid oxidation on body composition

Abstract

Introduction: the main problem in obesity management is weight regain that occurs after all currently used slimming procedures. Regular physical activity remains the most effective measure to stop this weight regain. Among the varieties of training that can be offered, endurance exercise at low to moderate intensities targeted at the level of maximum lipid oxidation (LIPOX max) is one of the easiest to implement and has well-documented effects on glucose metabolism, blood lipids, eating behavior, and body composition. Our purpose in this study was to study the effect of this type of exercise on body composition over 2 years. Methods: Nonrandomized controlled longitudinal study. 45 obese subjects (14 men, 31 women, age = 20-85 years old) were re-trained with LIPOXmax (3x45 min / week at home with regular follow-up after induction in hospital) over 2 years. They were compared to a matched control group of 26 subjects. Exercise calorimetry and segmental bioelectric impedance were performed at the beginning and at the 24th month. Results: Trained group lost weight (-6 ± 1.44 kg) over 2 years. This is explained by a loss of fat mass (-5 ± 1.26 kg), affecting truncal fat mass (-2.66 ± 0.62 kg p <0.0001), and appendicular fat mass (1.38 ± 0.72 kg p <0.01). There is also a reduction in lean body mass (-2.41 ± 0.86 kg, p <0.01). Controls gain 3 ± 0.85 kg (p <0.001). In the trained group, the ability to oxidize lipids increased (p <0.001) and there was a positive correlation between weight changes and mean arterial blood pressure at 24 months (r = 0.37 p = 0.02). Conclusion:The weight loss effectiveness of endurance training targeted at the LIPOXmax is maintained for 24 months. This weight loss affects both trunk and appendicular fat mass but also lean mass. It associated with a decrease in blood pressure and an improvement in the ability to oxidize lipids during exercise.

Beyond the Calorie Paradigm: Taking into Account in Practice the Balance of Fat and Carbohydrate Oxidation during Exercise?

“…Follow-up of a cohort of 12 obese patients regularly followed over 96 months (results partially presented in [33] and further updated in January 2022). This is the continuation of previously presented shorter follow-up studies [17,18,231,256]. Results show that the weight-lowering effect of LIPOXmax training persists over more than 8 years.…”

“…However, in obese patients engaged in a 2-year training procedure, there was a decrease in fat-free mass [18]. This decrease only involves its non-muscular component (−2.2 ± 0.7 kg), and muscle mass appears to be maintained.…”

“…First, the weight-lowering effect of this approach was fairly confirmed by well-conducted meta-analyses [16]. Furthermore, this weigh-lowering effect was unexpectedly shown to be very prolonged, over several years, resulting in a slow, sustained loss of fat mass [17,18]. The apparent paradox of the efficiency of this lowintensity, low-volume training strategy found some likely explanations.…”

“…Thus, although diet procedures are almost always followed by weight regain, the decrease in fat mass reported during the first couple of months was sustained over the long term after 2 years with a parallel loss of trunk and limb fat [18], which was still found after 4 years [255].…”

Effects of Aerobic Exercise Concurrent with Caffeine Supplementation on Weight and Body Fat Among Overweight Women

“…Moreover, improvement of body composition with physical activity and exercise were shown by various researches. In fact, an exercise program may decrease body fat percentage and diminish insulin resistance in overweight people (34,35), especially in the long term (36). However, the time of the intervention in the present study was short (6 weeks).…”