Exercise and postprandial plasma triacylglycerol concentrations in healthy adolescent boys.
OBJECTIVE
Atherosclerosis is initiated in childhood. Therefore, reducing postprandial triacylglycerol concentrations ([TAG]), even in young people, could potentially slow atherogenic progression. This study investigated whether continuous-exercise and intermittent-games activity would reduce postprandial [TAG] in adolescent boys.


METHODS
Nineteen subjects were randomly assigned to either a continuous-exercise group (N = 10) or an intermittent-games group (N = 9) and underwent two 2-d trials. Trials were performed a minimum of 7 d apart in a randomized order, consisting of a rest trial and either a continuous-exercise or intermittent-games trial. In the rest trial, subjects took no exercise on day 1. On day 1 of the exercise trial, subjects completed four blocks (approximately 15 min each) of uphill treadmill walking or intermittent-games activity with 3 min of rest between each block. On day 2, subjects came to the laboratory after an overnight fast, and finger-prick blood samples were obtained in the fasted state. Subjects then consumed a test meal (1.25 g of fat, 1.07 g of carbohydrate, 0.20 g of protein, and 67 kJ.kg(-1) body mass). Further blood samples were collected at 30 and 45 min and at 1, 3, 4, and 6 h postprandially.


RESULTS
The total area under the plasma [TAG] versus time curve was lower on day 2 after exercise than the rest condition in both groups (Student's t-tests for correlated means: continuous-exercise group 14%, P = 0.050; intermittent-games group 26%, P = 0.002).


CONCLUSIONS
Both continuous-exercise and intermittent-games activity reduce [TAG] in healthy adolescent boys when performed the afternoon before ingesting a high-fat meal.
Barrett
Laura A
LA
Children's Health and Exercise Research Centre, School of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Exeter, UK. Laura.A.Barrett@exeter.ac.uk
Morris
John G
JG
Stensel
David J
DJ
Nevill
Mary E
ME
D000293:Adolescent; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019518:Postprandial Period / Q000502:physiology*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D006113:United Kingdom
D014280:Triglycerides