Abstract
PurposeExercise health benefits are partly mediated by exertional changes in several myokines/adipokines. This study aimed to compare the acute response of some of these biomarkers to aerobic exercise performed at the intensity corresponding to the maximum fat oxidation rate (FATmax) or the “anaerobic” threshold (AT).MethodsFollowing a cross-over, counterbalanced design, 14 healthy untrained men (23 ± 1 years) performed a 45-min exercise bout at their FATmax or AT intensity (been previously determined through incremental exercise tests). The concentration of interleukin (IL)-15, follistatin, myostatin, fibroblast-growth factor (FGF)-21, irisin, resistin, and omentin was measured at baseline and 0, 1, 3, 24, 48, and 72 h post-exercise.ResultsAT exercise was performed at a higher intensity (85 ± 8 vs. 52 ± 14% of maximal oxygen uptake [VO2 max], p < 0.001) and induced a higher energy expenditure (p < 0.001) than FATmax, whereas a greater fat oxidation was observed in the latter (p < 0.001). A higher peak response of FGF-21 (+90%, p < 0.01) and follistatin (+49%, p < 0.05) was found after AT-exercise, as well as a trend toward a higher peak level of omentin (+13%, p = 0.071) and a greater decrease in resistin (−16%, p = 0.073).ConclusionIncreasing exercise load (from FATmax to AT) results in a higher response of FGF-21, follistatin and omentin to aerobic exercise, with the subsequent potential cardiometabolic benefits. No effects were, however, observed on the remainder of biomarkers. Future research should address if manipulating other exercise variables (e.g., type, frequency) can promote a higher myokine/adipokine response.
Highlights
Regular physical exercise is an effective lifestyle intervention for the prevention and treatment of numerous non-communicable diseases (Fiuza-Luces et al, 2013, 2018), with “aerobic” exercise being probably the most commonly prescribed modality (Warburton et al, 2006)
There is a high inter-individual variability in the physiological responses and adaptations to exercise at a fixed relative intensity (Mann et al, 2013)
By contrast, prescribing exercise loads relative to individually determined specific physiological indicators (“thresholds”) whose relative intensity varies between individuals might homogenize the elicited stress and reduce individual variability in metabolic responses (Mann et al, 2013)
Summary
Regular physical exercise is an effective lifestyle intervention for the prevention and treatment of numerous non-communicable diseases (Fiuza-Luces et al, 2013, 2018), with “aerobic” (or “endurance”) exercise (e.g., brisk walking, jogging/running, swimming) being probably the most commonly prescribed modality (Warburton et al, 2006). The prescription of aerobic training loads can be modified to maximize health benefits In this regard, there is a high inter-individual variability in the physiological responses and adaptations to exercise at a fixed relative intensity (i.e., expressed as a percentage of VO2 max or maximal heart rate) (Mann et al, 2013). Exercise prescription at the intensity corresponding to the point of maximal fat oxidation (FATmax) has gained popularity during the last decade (Jeukendrup and Achten, 2001) The latter strategy has proven beneficial for weight management and for improving several markers of cardiometabolic health (Venables and Jeukendrup, 2008; Romain et al, 2012)
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