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Effects of Maximal Fat Oxidation Exercise Training for Body Composition and Cardiovascular Risk Factors on College
Jin Yang1, Haimei Zhu2, Feiyi Sun3
1Department of Central Laboratory, Central Hospital of Dalian University of Technology, 116033 Dalian, Liaoning, China.
Insights
Maximal fat oxidation (FATmax)-intensity exercise significantly improved body composition and reduced cardiovascular disease risk factors in obese college students. This training enhances cardiorespiratory function and metabolic health in young adults.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Cardiovascular Health
- Obesity Research
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of mortality in China, with rising incidence and mortality rates.
- Obesity is a major CVD risk factor, and overweight/obesity rates are increasing among Chinese college students.
- Maximal fat oxidation (FATmax)-intensity training optimizes fat burning and improves cardiorespiratory and metabolic health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of FATmax-intensity exercise on CVD risk factors in obese college students.
- To explore the underlying mechanisms of FATmax-intensity exercise's impact on cardiovascular health in this population.
Main Methods:
- A 12-week longitudinal study with a single-group pre-post design.
- Involved 24 obese college students undergoing FATmax-intensity training.
- Assessed body composition, biochemical markers, cardiorespiratory function, oxidative stress, and inflammatory cytokines before and after intervention.
Main Results:
- Significant reductions in body weight, BMI, body fat percentage, and abdominal fat.
- Improvements in cardiorespiratory function, including peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2) and anaerobic threshold.
- Reduced levels of inflammatory markers (ET-1, CXCR1, CXCR2, GM-CSF, IFN-γ, IL-33) and increased levels of eNOS and VEGF.
Conclusions:
- FATmax-intensity exercise improves body composition and reduces CVD risk factors in young, obese individuals.
- The training enhances oxidative stress indicators and immunomodulatory anti-inflammatory function.
- Provides a foundation for further research into FATmax-intensity exercise's effects on cardiovascular health.
Background:
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of mortality among various diseases in China, with both the incidence and mortality rates associated with CVD continuing to rise. Obesity, as a key risk factor for CVD, exacerbates the disease burden. Concurrently, the rates of overweight and obese individuals among Chinese college students have been increasing annually. Maximal fat oxidation (FATmax)-intensity training, which precisely identifies the optimal exercise intensity for fat oxidation, can effectively improve cardiorespiratory function, regulate metabolic levels, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effects of FATmax-intensity exercise on cardiovascular disease risk factors in obese college students and to explore the associated underlying mechanisms.
Methods:
A longitudinal single-group pre-post experimental design was adopted, with a 12-week intervention conducted on 24 obese college students. Measurements and comparisons of body composition, biochemical indicators, blood parameters, cardiorespiratory function, oxidative stress-related indicators, and immunoinflammatory cytokines were performed before and after the intervention.
Results:
The results demonstrated that FATmax-intensity training significantly reduced the body weight, body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, waist-to-hip ratio, abdominal adipose tissue, subcutaneous fat, resting heart rate, endothelin-1 (ET-1), C-X-C chemokine receptor 1 (CXCR1), CXCR2, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin-33 (IL-33) (p < 0.05) values in participants, while significantly increasing peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2), anaerobic threshold, the ratio of forced expiratory volume in one second to forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC), maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
These findings provide preliminary evidence that applying FATmax-intensity exercise improves body composition, oxidative stress indicators, immunomodulatory anti-inflammatory function, and reduces cardiovascular disease risk in young obese populations, thereby providing the foundation for further research on the effects of FATmax-intensity exercise on other cardiovascular risk factors and potential mechanisms.
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