Effects of continuous versus accumulated activity patterns on postprandial triacylglycerol concentrations in obese men

Objective: There is limited information regarding the effects of short (<10 min) bouts of activity on postprandial lipaemia and no studies are available regarding the effects of short bouts of activity on postprandial lipaemia in obese men. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of accumulating ten, 3-min bouts of exercise versus one 30 min bout of exercise on postprandial serum triacylglycerol (TAG) concentrations in obese men. Design: Each subject completed three 2-day trials at least 1 week apart in a randomized, repeated-measures design. On day 1, subjects rested (no exercise) or cycled at 60% of maximum heart rate in either ten, 3-min bouts (30 min rest between each), or one continuous 30-min bout. On day 2 of each trial, after an overnight fast, the subjects consumed a standardized test meal for breakfast. Venous blood samples were obtained in the fasted state (0 h), and 2, 4 and 6 h postprandially on day 2. Subjects: Eight sedentary men (age: 27±2 years) with body mass index between 25 and 37 kg/m². Measurements: Postprandial TAG, non-esterified fatty acids, 3-hydroxybutyrate, insulin and glucose were determined. Results: Total area under the postprandial serum TAG concentrations versus time curve was 18% (P=0.042) and 15% (P=0.032) lower throughout day 2 of both the accumulated exercise trial and the continuous exercise trial, respectively, compared with the control trial with little difference between exercise trials. Conclusion: At 30 min of moderate cycling (0.87 MJ per 30 min) accumulated in short bouts is equally effective in reducing postprandial serum TAG concentrations as one continuous 30 min bout of cycling in obese men.