Comparison of Excess Post‐exercise Oxygen Consumption between Continuous, Interval, and Accumulated Workout with Equalized Exercise Volume in Healthy Women

Abstract

PurposeThe primary purpose of the present study was to compare the EPOC during different exercise modalities including continuous exercise (CE), interval exercise (IE), and accumulated exercise (AE) that spent the equalized energy expenditure during exercise in healthy women.MethodsForty‐four healthy women (36.09 ± 11.73 years), who did not participate regular exercise, were included in the present study. All participants visited the laboratory four times at intervals of one week during experimental period. During the first visit, they underwent body composition test and graded exercise test. On the second, third, and fourth occasions, the participants underwent a randomized crossover experimental trial consisted of CE, IE, and AE with equalized energy expenditure. CE was performed for 30 min at 60%VO2max and AE was conducted 3 times for 10 min at 60%VO2max. IE was performed for 26 min and exercise protocol was structured as follows: 6 times of 80%VO2max for 3 min + 40%VO2max for 1 min and 1 time of 80%VO2max for 2 min. Heart rate (HR), minute ventilation (VE), oxygen consumption (VO2), carbon dioxide excretion (VCO2), and respiratory exchange ratio (RER), carbohydrate oxidation (CHO), fatty acid oxidation (FAO), and energy expenditure (EE) were measured during exercise and after exercise.ResultsIn exercise session, IE showed a significantly higher RER, CHO and a lower HR, FAO than CE. AE showed a significantly lower RER and a higher FAO than IE, and it showed a significantly lower VE than CE. In addition, there was no significant difference in EE between the three trial sessions, confirming that exercise volume homogenization was well performed. In EPOC session, IE showed a significantly higher HR, VE, VO2, VCO2, CHO, FAO, EE than CE. AE showed a significantly a higher HR, VE, VO2, VCO2, RER, CHO, EE than CE and IE, and it also showed a higher FAO than CE. In total (exercise plus EPOC session), IE and CE have a similar EE, but IE showed a significantly higher RER, CHO and a lower FAO than CE. AE showed a significantly higher HR, VE, VO2, VCO2, CHO and EE than CE and IE. In addition, AE showed a significantly higher RER than CE and AE showed a significantly higher FAO than IE.ConclusionThe present study confirmed that the EE in EPOC session after three types workout using a ergometer with homogenized exercise volume was showed in the order AE, IE, and CE, in particular, AE showed a higher EE in total than CE and IE. Therefore, we suggest that AE is the most effective strategies in maximize EE compared to CE and IE, and IE is also effective than CE in increasing EE via EPOC.