Effects of adipose tissue distribution on maximum lipid oxidation rate during exercise in normal-weight women.
OBJECTIVE
Fat mass localization affects lipid metabolism differently at rest and during exercise in overweight and normal-weight subjects. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of a low vs high ratio of abdominal to lower-body fat mass (index of adipose tissue distribution) on the exercise intensity (Lipox(max)) that elicits the maximum lipid oxidation rate in normal-weight women.


METHODS
Twenty-one normal-weight women (22.0 ± 0.6 years, 22.3 ± 0.1 kg.m(-2)) were separated into two groups of either a low or high abdominal to lower-body fat mass ratio [L-A/LB (n = 11) or H-A/LB (n = 10), respectively]. Lipox(max) and maximum lipid oxidation rate (MLOR) were determined during a submaximum incremental exercise test. Abdominal and lower-body fat mass were determined from DXA scans.


RESULTS
The two groups did not differ in aerobic fitness, total fat mass, or total and localized fat-free mass. Lipox(max) and MLOR were significantly lower in H-A/LB vs L-A/LB women (43 ± 3% VO(2max) vs 54 ± 4% VO(2max), and 4.8 ± 0.6 mg min(-1)kg FFM(-1)vs 8.4 ± 0.9 mg min(-1)kg FFM(-1), respectively; P < 0.001). Total and abdominal fat mass measurements were negatively associated with Lipox(max) (r = -0.57 and r = -0.64, respectively; P < 0.01) and MLOR [r = -0.63 (P < 0.01) and r = -0.76 (P < 0.001), respectively].


CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicate that, in normal-weight women, a predominantly abdominal fat mass distribution compared with a predominantly peripheral fat mass distribution is associated with a lower capacity to maximize lipid oxidation during exercise, as evidenced by their lower Lipox(max) and MLOR.
Laboratory Culture Sport Health Society, EA 4660, and Exercise Performance, Health, Innovation Platform, Franche-Comte University, 25000 Besançon, France. Electronic address: laurie.isacco@univ-fcomte.fr.
L
L
Isacco
EA 3533, Laboratory of Metabolic Adaptations to Exercise in Physiological and Pathological Conditions, Clermont University, Blaise Pascal University, BP 10448, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France. Electronic address: David.Thivel@univ-bpclermont.fr.
D
D
Thivel
Department of Sport Medicine and Functional Explorations, Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital (CHU), G. Montpied Hospital, 63003 Clermont-Ferrand, France; INRA, UMR 1019, 63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France; University Clermont 1, UFR Medicine, 63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France; CRNH-Auvergne, 63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France. Electronic address: mduclos@chu-clermontferrand.fr.
M
M
Duclos
EA4488, Lille Nord de France University, "Physical Activity, muscle, Health", 59790 Ronchin, France. Electronic address: Julien.aucouturier@univ-lille2.fr.
J
J
Aucouturier
EA 3533, Laboratory of Metabolic Adaptations to Exercise in Physiological and Pathological Conditions, Clermont University, Blaise Pascal University, BP 10448, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France. Electronic address: Nathalie.Boisseau@univ-bpclermont.fr.
N
N
Boisseau
D050153:Abdominal Fat / Q000378:metabolism; D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D001823:Body Composition; D050218:Body Fat Distribution; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015444:Exercise; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction
Adipose tissue localization; Exercise; Lipox(max); Metabolic fitness; Women