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Increased postprandial triacylglycerol concentrations following resistance exercise
Stephen F Burns1, David R Broom, Masashi Miyashita
1School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, United Kingdom.
A single bout of resistance exercise performed on the same day as a meal did not lower but transiently elevated postprandial triacylglycerol (TAG) concentrations in trained males. This suggests resistance exercise may temporarily increase fat levels after eating.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Nutritional Science
- Metabolic Health
Background:
- Conflicting evidence exists regarding the impact of resistance exercise on postprandial triacylglycerol (TAG) levels.
- Previous studies have not consistently shown a reduction in TAG concentrations after resistance exercise preceding a meal.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of a single resistance exercise session, performed on the same day as a test meal, on postprandial TAG concentrations.
- To analyze TAG response in resistance-trained males following acute exercise and meal consumption.
Main Methods:
- Ten healthy, resistance-trained males participated in a randomized, counterbalanced trial.
- Participants consumed a standardized test meal in two conditions: after a 90-minute resistance exercise bout and during a control (inactive) trial.
- Blood samples were collected for 5 hours postprandially to measure TAG and myoglobin concentrations.
Main Results:
- The total area under the plasma TAG concentration-time curve was significantly higher in the exercise trial compared to the control trial (11.76 vs 7.94 mmol x L(-1) x 5 h(-1)).
- Plasma myoglobin concentrations were also significantly elevated post-exercise (16.68 vs 6.80 nmol x L(-1) x 5 h(-1)), indicating muscle damage.
Conclusions:
- A single session of resistance exercise can lead to a transient increase in postprandial TAG concentrations.
- Elevated myoglobin suggests exercise-induced muscle damage, which may be linked to the observed TAG response.
- Further research is required to elucidate the relationship between exercise-induced muscle damage and postprandial lipid metabolism.
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