[Lipolysis and ketosis during swimming in thermal water]

Plasma free fatty acids, blood glucose, beta-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate variations were studied in rats during swimming. Rats were forced to swim for 30 min in thermal water (source of Abano Terme) at 35 degrees and in normal water at 25 degrees. During swimming in thermal water plasma free fatty acids were increased, the glycemia remained unaffected, the beta-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate decreased. The swim in normal water induced a sharp increase of plasma free fatty acids, a decrease of blood glucose, an increase of blood beta-hydroxybutyrate and a marked decrease of acetoacetate. From these data, some indications of clinical interest are presented and discussed.