The Effect of 12 Weeks Continuous Training at Fatmax Intensity or Anaerobic Threshold, and High Intensity Interval Training on Fat Burning Capacity in Pre-Diabetic Patients

Fat metabolism disorders is a defect in pre-diabetic patients and a basis for type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 12 weeks continuous or high intensity interval training on fat burning capacity in pre-diabetic patients. 32 pre-diabetic patients (age: 38.7 ± 4.0 years; BMI: 26.9 ± 1.4 kg/m2; percent body fat: 26.1 ± 2.5%; VO2</sub>Peak: 2.49 ± 0.22 L.min-1) were divided into four groups: control (CON), high intensity interval training (HIT), continuous training at Fatmax intensity (FAT) and continuous training at anaerobic threshold (IAT). HIT, FAT and IAT groups participated in a 12-weeks training program with 4 sessions per week (with intensity of 90% VO2</sub>peak during the intervals, Fatmax intensity and/or anaerobic threshold intensity, respectively). Substrate oxidation, maximal fat oxidation (MFO) and Fatmax were determined during graded exercise test using the stoichiometric equations. Student’s t-test and ANOVA were used to analyze the data. MFO was affected by training in HIT, FAT and IAT groups by 26%, 35% and 25%, respectively, which it was significantly different between FAT group and HIT and IAT groups (P ≤ 0.05). In addition, the effect of exercise training on Fatmax in HIT, FAT and IAT groups was 26%, 25% and 35%, respectively, which it was significantly different between FAT and IAT groups (P ≤ 0.05). Results showed that changes in fat oxidation rate was different in three groups compared to pre-training status. This means that the intensity and type of exercise may have effective role in fat oxidation metabolism in pre-diabetic patients.