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Postprandial lipemia: effects of intermittent versus continuous exercise
J M Gill1, M H Murphy, A E Hardman
1Department of Physical Education, Sports Science and Recreation Management, Loughborough University, Leicestershire, UK. j.m.r.gill@lboro.ac.uk
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|October 28, 1998
Summary
Both continuous and intermittent exercise effectively reduce postprandial lipemia, the fat content in blood after a meal. Exercise type does not significantly impact this beneficial effect on blood lipids.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Metabolic Health
- Cardiovascular Risk Factors
Background:
- Postprandial lipemia, characterized by elevated plasma triacylglycerol (TAG) concentrations after a meal, is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
- Understanding the impact of different exercise modalities on postprandial lipemia is crucial for public health recommendations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effectiveness of continuous versus intermittent exercise in reducing postprandial lipemia.
- To determine if exercise format influences the reduction of blood lipids after a high-fat meal.
Main Methods:
- Healthy males (n=18) with normal or borderline high lipid levels underwent three 2-day trials: control (rest), continuous exercise (90-min run), and intermittent exercise (3x30-min runs).
- On day two of each trial, subjects consumed a high-fat breakfast, and blood samples were collected for 6 hours to measure TAG, glucose, and insulin levels.
Main Results:
- Fasting TAG concentrations were similar across all trials.
- Both continuous and intermittent exercise significantly reduced the postprandial TAG response by approximately 18% compared to the control trial.
- While glucose response was unaffected, intermittent exercise led to a lower serum insulin response than the control.
Conclusions:
- Both continuous and intermittent exercise formats are effective in mitigating postprandial lipemia.
- Exercise, regardless of its format (continuous or intermittent), plays a significant role in managing blood lipid levels after meals.