A Bout of Repeated Short Sprints Reduces Postprandial Triacylglycerol Concentrations in Young Men

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate the acute effects of an exercise session involving repeated short sprints on postprandial triacylglycerol concentrations. METHODS: Twelve male volunteers (age 22.1 (0.4) yrs, body mass index 25.8 (1.9); mean (SD)) completed two, two-day trials consisting of a rest and exercise trial. Trials were performed a minimum of 7 days apart in a balanced crossover design. In the rest trial participants took no exercise on day 1. On day 1 of the exercise trial participants completed forty 6-s maximal cycle sprints (against a resistance of 7.5% body weight). On day 2 in both trials, participants reported to the laboratory after an overnight fast and finger prick blood samples were obtained in the fasted state. Participants then ingested a test meal (1.25 g fat, 1.07 g carbohydrate, 0.20 g protein, and 67 kJ[[Unsupported Character - &#8729;]]kg−1 body mass). Further finger prick samples were collected at 30 and 45 min and 1, 3, 4 and 6 h. Plasma samples were analyzed for triacylglycerol. Participants were asked to control their physical activity levels and diet before each trial. Data were assessed using Student's t-test for correlated means. Triacylglycerol data were logarithmically transformed prior to statistical analysis to achieve normality. Statistical significance was accepted at the p < 0.05 level. REULTS: Fasting plasma triacylglycerol concentrations were lower in the exercise than the rest trial (0.81 (0.07) versus 0.98 (0.07) mmol·L−1) although this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.054). The total area under the plasma triacylglycerol concentration versus time curve was lower in the exercise than the rest trial (7.00 (0.76) versus 8.93 (0.83) mmol·L−1·6 h−1, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A bout of repeated short sprints can reduce postprandial triacylglycerol concentrations in young males when performed approximately 16 h before ingesting a high fat meal.