Postprandial lipemia 16 and 40 hours after low-volume eccentric resistance exercise

There is evidence to suggest that muscle damage caused by resistance exercise (RE) may increase postprandial lipemia (PPL). This study examined PPL for two consecutive days after a protocol of low-volume eccentric RE that caused muscle damage.

Nine healthy, untrained male volunteers aged 27.2 +/- 1.1 yr performed a session of eccentric RE consisting of eight sets of inclined leg presses at six repetition maximum with 3-min rest intervals. A high-fat meal (1.2 g fat, 1.2 g carbohydrate, 0.22 g protein, and 68.6 kJ kg(-1) body mass) was administered 16 h (day 1) and 40 h (day 2) after exercise as well as after an overnight fast with no prior exercise (control condition [C]). Venous blood samples were obtained before and hourly for 6 h after each meal.

The duration of the exercise session (including rest intervals) was 25.6 +/- 0.2 min, whereas net exercise time was 4.6 +/- 0.2 min. Total energy expenditure was 0.64 +/- 0.04 MJ. Serum creatine kinase and ratings of perceived muscle soreness were significantly elevated on day 1 and peaked on day 2. Triacylglycerol total area under the curve was 12.1% lower on day 1 compared with C (7.51 +/- 0.99 vs. 8.54 +/- 1.07 mmol L(-1) 6h(-1), P < 0.02), whereas no difference existed between C and day 2. Serum insulin incremental area under the curve was significantly elevated on day 2 compared with C, indicating transient insulin resistance.

These results show that low-volume eccentric RE is effective in reducing postprandial triacylglycerol concentration despite the low energy expenditure. Muscle damage does not have a detrimental effect on PPL.