The Acute Effect of Two Type of High-Intensity Interval Exercise with the Same Energy Expenditure on Substrate Oxidation, Appetite and Exercise Enjoyment in Overweight or Obese Men

Intensity and energy expenditure of exercise are most effective factors on substrate oxidation. Involved muscle mass in exercise is an effective factor on substrate oxidation. The aim of the present study was to compare the acute effect of two type of high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) with same energy expenditure and different involved muscle mass on substrate oxidation, appetite and exercise enjoyment in overweight or obese men.

Ten overweight or obese young men (body mass index: 29.95±2.97 kg.m-2) completed three conditions including Tabata exercise (20 min at approximately 75% VO2max) (TE), ergometer exercise (23 min at approximately 66% VO2max) (EE), and control. The subjects' breathing gases were analyzed by gas analyzer in baseline, during exercise, and during three hours after exercise. The appetite was measured in before, immediately and three hours after exercise. The exercise enjoyment was measured, immediately after exercise.

Fat oxidation during three hours after the TE was significantly higher compared to EE and control (P=0.01) and carbohydrate oxidation during three hours after the TE was significantly lower compared with control condition (P=0.04). There was no significant difference between the two HIIE during three hours after exercise in excess post-exercise oxygen consumption and energy expenditure. However, the respiratory exchange ratio was higher in 0-30, 120-150, 150-180 min, and total of three hours after the TE compared with EE (P values, 0.02, 0.02, 0.02, and 0.05, respectively). Finally, appetite increased regardless of the presence and type of intervention, in three hours after exercise (P=0.01). There was no significant difference between the perceived enjoyment of TE and EE (P = 0.41).

It seems that Tabata exercise, which involves more muscle mass, causes more oxidation of fat after exercise compared to exercise with the same energy expenditure on ergometer in overweight or obese men, despite no difference in appetite and exercise enjoyment.