Carbohydrate cost of the watt on ergocycle: a reproducible biological parameter?

Introduction - Is the increase in carbohydrate oxidation at exercice related to power unit a reproducible parameter? Results - Fifty four subjects performed a test consisting of four six-min. submaximal steady state workloads with calculation of substrate oxidation at the end of each step. The mean of the carbohydrate cost (+/-SEM) was 0,22 +/- 0,001 mg min(-1) kg(-1) w(-1). The upper limit of the first quintile of distribution was 0,16 and the lower limit of the fifth one was 0,29 mg min(-1) kg(-1) w(-1). Conclusion - This biological parameter appears to be physiologically maintained within a narrow homeostatic range in some pathological conditions, values outside of this range can be found (eg, high values in subjects suffering from hypoglycemia). (C) 2002 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.