title: The impact of exercise intensity on whole body and adipose tissue metabolism during energy restriction in sedentary overweight men and postmenopausal women.
abstract: This study aimed to establish whether vigorous-intensity exercise offers additional adipose-related health benefits and metabolic improvements compared to energy-matched moderate-intensity exercise. Thirty-eight sedentary overweight men (n = 24) and postmenopausal women (n = 14) aged 52 ± 5 years (mean ± standard deviations [SD]) were prescribed a 3-week energy deficit (29302 kJ∙week-1) achieved by increased isocaloric moderate or vigorous-intensity exercise (+8372 kJ∙week-1) and simultaneous restricted energy intake (-20930 kJ∙week-1). Participants were randomly assigned to either an energy-matched vigorous (VIG; n = 18) or moderate (MOD; n = 20) intensity exercise group (five times per week at 70% or 50% maximal oxygen uptake, respectively). At baseline and follow-up, fasted blood samples and abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue biopsies were obtained and oral glucose tolerance tests conducted. Body mass was reduced similarly in both groups (∆ 2.4 ± 1.1 kg and ∆ 2.4 ± 1.4 kg, respectively, P < 0.05). Insulinemic responses to a standard glucose load decreased similarly at follow-up relative to baseline in VIG (∆ 8.6 ± 15.4 nmol.120 min.l-1) and MOD (∆ 5.4 ± 8.5 nmol.120 min.l-1; P < 0.05). Expression of SREBP-1c and FAS in adipose tissue was significantly down-regulated, whereas expression of PDK4 and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) was significantly up-regulated in both groups (P < 0.05). Thus, when energy expenditure and energy deficit are matched, vigorous or moderate-intensity exercise combined with energy restriction provide broadly similar (positive) changes in metabolic control and adipose tissue gene expression.
authors.affiliation: Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath, UK.
authors.forename: Jean-Philippe
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Walhin
authors.affiliation: Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath, UK.
authors.forename: Natalie C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Dixon
authors.affiliation: Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath, UK.
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Betts
authors.affiliation: Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath, UK d.thompson@bath.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Dylan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism*; D001786:Blood Glucose; D002149:Energy Intake; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D050177:Overweight / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000517:prevention & control; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000378:metabolism*; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D051598:Whole Body Imaging
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin
keywords: Adipose tissue; energy restriction; exercise intensity; gene expression; metabolism