Limited benefit of Fatmax-test to derive training prescriptions.

The intensity that elicits maximal fat oxidation (Fatmax) is recommended for training fat metabolism. However, it remains unclear whether Fatmax leads to the highest fat oxidation rates during prolonged exercise. It was hypothesized that there are no differences in fat oxidation rates among 3 different exercise intensities. Therefore, fat metabolism was compared among 1-h constant load tests at Fatmax, a higher and a lower intensity. A cohort of 16 male cyclists (28±6 yrs, BMI: 22.5±1.2 kg/m2; n=8 with maximal oxygen uptake [VO2max] of 50-60 ml/min/kg [ET]; n=8 with VO2max>60 ml/min/kg [HET]) completed a maximal incremental cycling test, a submaximal incremental Fatmax-test and, thereafter, three 1-h constant-load tests in randomized order at Fatmax, one exercise stage below (LOW) and one above (HIGH). LOW, Fatmax and HIGH were performed at 52±13, 60±13 and 70±12% VO2max. Heart rate and blood lactate were significantly different (p<0.001). However, the fat oxidation rate showed no difference (p=0.61). This was also true within each subgroup (ET: p=0.69, HET p=0.61). In conclusion, the fat oxidation rate of endurance trained cyclists shows no difference between 1-h constant load exercise bouts at about 50-70% VO2max. The precision and necessity of Fatmax-tests for controlling the training of fat oxidation are therefore debatable.

Blood lactate concentrations are mildly affected by mobile gas exchange measurements.

We sought to investigate the effects of wearing a mobile respiratory gas analysis system during a treadmill test on blood lactate (bLa) concentrations and commonly applied bLa thresholds. A total of 16 recreational athletes (31±3 years, VO2max: 58±6 ml · min(-1) · kg(-1)) performed one multistage treadmill test with and one without gas exchange measurements (GEM and noGEM). The whole bLa curve, the lactate threshold (LT), the individual anaerobic thresholds according to Stegmann (IATSt) and Dickhuth (IATDi), and a fixed bLa concentration of 4 mmol ∙ l(-1) (OBLA) were evaluated. The bLa curve was shifted slightly leftward in GEM compared to noGEM (P<0.05), whereas the heart rate response was not different between conditions (P=0.89). There was no difference between GEM and noGEM for LT (2.61±0.34 vs. 2.64±0.39 m · s(-1), P=0.49) and IATSt (3.47±0.42 vs. 3.55±0.47 m · s(-1), P=0.12). However, IATDi (3.57±0.39 vs. 3.66±0.44 m · s(-1), P<0.01) and OBLA (3.85±0.46 vs. 3.96±0.47 m · s(-1), P<0.01) occurred at slower running velocities in GEM. The bLa response to treadmill tests is mildly affected by wearing a mobile gas analysis system. This also applies to bLa thresholds located at higher exercise intensities. While the magnitude of the effects is of little importance for recreational athletes, it might be relevant for elite athletes and scientific studies.

Differences in adaptations to 1 year of aerobic endurance training: individual patterns of nonresponse.

Lacking responses to endurance training (ET) have been observed for several variables. However, detailed analyses of individuals' responses are scarce. To learn more about the variability of ET adaptations, patterns of response were analyzed for each subject in a 1-year ET study. Eighteen participants [42 ± 5 years, body mass index: 24 ± 3 kg/m(2), maximal oxygen uptake (VO(2max) ): 38 ± 5 mL/min/kg] completed a 1-year jogging/walking program on 3 days/week, 45 min/session at 60% heart rate (HR) reserve. VO(2max), resting HR (rHR), exercise HR (eHR) and individual anaerobic threshold (IAT) were determined by treadmill and cycling ergometry respectively. Intraindividual coefficients of variation were extracted from the literature to distinguish random changes from training responses. Eight participants showed improvements in all variables. In 10 participants, one or two variables did not improve (VO(2max), rHR, eHR and IAT remained unchanged in four, four, three and one cases, respectively). At least one variable improved in each subject. Data indicate that ET adaptations might be detected in each individual using multiple variables of different adaptation levels and intensity domains. Nonresponse seems to occur frequently and might affect all variables. Further studies should investigate whether nonresponders improve with altered training. Furthermore, associations between patterns of nonresponse and health benefits from ET are worth considering.

Effects of one year aerobic endurance training on resting metabolic rate and exercise fat oxidation in previously untrained men and women. Metabolic endurance training adaptations.

Although metabolic training adaptations are considered to be an important aim of recreational endurance exercise, effects of aerobic endurance training on metabolism have hardly been recorded over longer training periods. The aim of the study was therefore to record changes in resting metabolic rate (RMR), substrate oxidation at rest and maximal exercise fat oxidation rate (MFO) after one year of recreational endurance training within the ACSM-recommendations. Seventeen sedentary participants (7 male symbol/10 female symbol, 42+/-5 yr, pre-training characteristics: BMI: 24.6+/-2.2 kg.m (-2), VO(2max): 37.5+/-4.7 ml.min (-1).kg (-1)) completed a 12 months jogging/walking program 3 days/week for 45 min/session at a constant heart rate (HR) prescription of 60% HR-reserve. Resting measurements and maximal incremental treadmill tests were conducted before the training program, after 6 and 12 months of training. Indirect calorimetry was used to assess metabolic parameters. After 12 months of training, body weight remained unchanged ( P=0.16), however, body fat was significantly reduced by 3.4+/-2.1% ( P<0.001). Neither RMR ( P=0.42) nor substrate oxidation at rest ( P=0.25) changed significantly. MFO increased significantly over time by 0.07+/-0.08 g.min (-1) ( P<0.01) and occurred at significantly higher exercise intensities (35+/-6 vs. 44+/-15 vs. 50+/-14%VO(2max), P<0.01). In summary one year of recreational endurance training does therefore not appear to influence RMR or substrate oxidation at rest in previously untrained non-obese participants. In contrast, a constant training stimulus within the ACSM-recommendations elicits sustained improvements in MFO over at least one year of training.