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Published Online First: 2 April 2008. doi:10.1136/bjsm.2007.044529
British Journal of Sports Medicine 2009;43:869-870
Copyright © 2009 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd & British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine.

SHORT REPORTS

Comparison of fat oxidation during exercise in lean and obese pubertal boys: clinical implications

G Zunquin1,2, D Theunynck1,3, B Sesboüé4, P Arhan1, D Bouglé1,5

1 Laboratoire REcherche Littorale en Activités Corporelles et Sportives, Dunkerque, France
2 Laboratoire de Physiologie Digestive et Nutritionnelle, CHU Caen, France
3 Service d’anesthésie, Centre Hospitalier Dunkerque, France
4 Service des Explorations Fonctionnelles A, CHU Caen, France
5 Service de Pédiatrie, CH de Bayeux, France

Correspondence to Dr G Zunquin, Laboratoire REcherche Littorale en Activités Corporelles et Sportives, Dunkerque, Université du Littoral Côte d’Opale, F 59140, Dunkerque, France; gautier.zunquin{at}hotmail.fr

Objective: To examine fat oxidation rates during exercise in lean and obese pubescent children.

Design: A graded leg cycle ergometry test was performed by two groups of pubescent boys (13 lean: mean (SD) age 12.0 (0.5) years, body mass index (BMI) 18.56 (1.12) kg/m2; 17 obese: mean (SD) age 12.1 (0.1) years, BMI 26.68 (3.37) kg/m2; p<0.001). The first step of the test was fixed at 30 W and power was gradually increased by 20 W every 3.5 min. The mean ventilatory gas measurement was obtained during the last 30 s of each step for calculation of fat oxidation rate vs exercise intensity.

Results: At low intensity (0–30% of peak oxygen consumption) when fat-free mass is considered, the fat oxidation rate was identical for the two groups. At higher intensities (40%, 50% and 60% of peak oxygen consumption) the fat oxidation rate was significantly higher in lean boys than in obese boys.

Conclusion: These results confirm that obese pubertal boys have fat-free mass decreased capacities to use fat during moderate exercise. The findings suggest that obese boys need to practise physical activity at a lower intensity than healthy boys to enhance lipolysis and diminish adipose tissue and the consequences of obesity.


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