Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 8, 2026

Randomized Controlled Trial to Study the Acute Effects of Strength Exercise on Insulin Sensitivity in Obese Adults
Published on: December 1, 2023
Effects of exercise at different times on postprandial lipemia and endothelial function
Ricardo Silvestre1, William J Kraemer, Erin E Quann
1Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA.
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of previous exercise on metabolic, hormonal, and endothelial responses to an oral fat-tolerance test (OFTT).
Methods:
Twelve healthy, recreationally trained men (age = 22.3 +/- 2.5 yr, weight = 80.7 +/- 12.4 kg, BMI = 25.1 +/- 3.1 kg.m(-2)) volunteered for this study. In a crossover fashion, subjects completed three OFTT trials that involved no exercise (NoEx) or exercise performed 16 h (EX-16) or 4 h (EX-4) before the ingestion of a meal (13 kcal.kg(-1) and 1.4 g of fat per kilogram of body weight). Blood was collected before and after the meal and hourly for 6 h. Brachial artery reactivity was measured using ultrasound before and at 2, 4, and 6 h after the meal. Dietary intake and exercise were standardized 4 d before the OFTT. The exercise session consisted of six resistance exercises and 30 min of running on a treadmill. The washout period between trials was, on average, 5 d.
Results:
Compared with NoEx, there were significant (P < 0.05) decreases in triglyceride area under the curve (AUC) during EX-16 (-26%) and EX-4 (-15%). Compared with NoEx, there were decreases in insulin AUC during EX-16 (-7%, P < 0.05) and EX-4 (-5%, NS). EX-4 resulted in a significantly larger fasting arterial diameter than EX-16 and NoEx, but there were no other significant effects on endothelial function. Lipemic variables did not show correlations with endothelium function for any of the trials.
Conclusion:
An acute exercise session, regardless of the time point chosen (i.e., EX-16 or EX-4), reduced to a similar extent the total and incremental lipemic responses compared with the NoEx condition.
Related Concept Videos
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...
Glucose Homeostasis: Regulation of Blood Glucose
During fasting, when blood glucose levels are low, the pancreas secretes glucagon. it...
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile
Serum lipids are fats and fatty substances in the blood and are crucial for various bodily functions, including energy storage, cellular structure, and hormone production. Serum lipids consist of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids.
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance found in all body cells. It is crucial for producing hormones, vitamin D, and substances that aid...
Metabolic States of the Body: The Postabsorptive State
Initially, glycogen stored in the liver is broken down to release glucose into the bloodstream, while glycogen in the muscles is broken down to supply glucose for energy directly within the muscle cells. As glycogen stores diminish,...

