Effects of intermittent cycle exercise on intramyocellular lipid use and recovery
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 26, 2026

Fiber Type and Subcellular-Specific Analysis of Lipid Droplet Content in Skeletal Muscle
Published on: June 8, 2022
Lesley J White1, Robert A Robergs, Wilmer L Sibbitt
1Human Performance Laboratory, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106, USA. lwhite@hhp.ufl.edu
Abstract:
The purpose of this investigation was to compare intramyocellular lipid (IMCL) changes in skeletal muscle in nine moderately trained subjects after 45 min of interval cycling and through 1 h of recovery. The exercise session was continuous with alternating cycling intensity achieving 50 (3 min) and 110% (2 min) of ventilatory threshold. Spectra from the vastus lateralis were acquired before, immediately after, and 60 min following exercise using a 1.5 T Signa whole-body magnet (point-resolved spectroscopy sequence, echo time 60 ms, transverse relaxation time 2000 ms, 128 acquisitions, and 20 mm3 voxel). Immediately following exercise, IMCL concentration decreased 38% compared to pre-exercise levels (P < 0.05). Fitness level and baseline IMCL were not correlated with changes in IMCL following exercise (P > 0.05). In the 60-min recovery, IMCL was reduced 30% compared to baseline (P < 0.05) and did not recover. In contrast, a nonexercising control group showed no change in IMCL. Our results suggest that IMCL decreased significantly following 45 min of interval cycling, with little recovery in the hour following.
More Related Videos
07:40Impact of High-intensity Interval Exercise and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Exercise on the Cardiac Troponin T Level at an Early Stage of Training
Published on: October 10, 2019
09:19Short Session High Intensity Interval Training and Treadmill Assessment in Aged Mice
Published on: February 2, 2019
Related Concept Videos
Muscle Recovery and Fatigue
Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
Exercise and Muscle Performance
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...