Postprandial lipemia: effects of intermittent versus continuous exercise

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess whether exercise performed in continuous and discontinuous formats reduced postprandial lipemia to a similar degree, Methods: Fifteen normolipidemic and three borderline hyperlipidemic healthy males (ages 30.6 +/- 9.0 (mean +/- SD) yr, BMI 23.1 +/- 1.4 kg.m(-2)) participated in three trials, each conducted over 2 d. Subjects refrained from exercise for the 2 d preceding each trial. On day one, subjects rested (control trial), or ran at 60% of maximal oxygen uptake in either one 90-min session (continuous exercise trial), or three 30-min sessions (intermittent exercise trial). On day two, subjects ingested a high-fat test breakfast (1.2 g fat, 1.2 g carbohydrate, 70 kJ energy per kilogram body mass). Blood samples were obtained in the fasted stare and at intervals for 6 h postprandially. Results: Fasting plasma triacylglycerol (TAG) concentrations did not differ between trials. Areas under the TAG versus time curves were 18.1 +/- 6.7% (mean +/- SEM) and 17.7 +/- 7.6% (both P < 0.05) lower than control in the continuous exercise and intermittent exercise trials, respectively. Plasma glucose responses to the test meal did not differ between trials, but the serum insulin response was lower in the intermittent exercise trial compared with that in the control. Conclusion: The results suggest that both intermittent and continuous exercise can reduce postprandial lipemia.