Higher rate of fat oxidation during rowing compared with cycling ergometer exercise across a range of exercise intensities

Abstract

The relative contribution of carbohydrate and fat oxidation to energy expenditure during exercise is dependent on variables including exercise intensity, mode, and recruited muscle mass. This study investigated patterns of substrate utilization during two non-weightbearing exercise modalities, namely cycling and rowing. Thirteen young, moderately trained males performed a continuous incremental (3-min stages) exercise test to exhaustion on separate occasions on an electronically braked cycle (CYC) ergometer and an air-braked rowing (ROW) ergometer, respectively. On two further occasions, participants performed a 20-min steady-state exercise bout at ∼50%VO2peak on the respective modalities. Despite similar oxygen consumption, rates of fat oxidation (FATox ) were ∼45% higher during ROW compared with CYC (P < 0.05) across a range of power output increments. The crossover point for substrate utilization occurred at a higher relative exercise intensity for ROW than CYC (57.8 ± 2.1 vs 42.1 ± 3.6%VO2peak , P < 0.05). During steady-state submaximal exercise, the higher FATox during ROW compared with CYC was maintained (P < 0.05), but absolute FATox were 42% (CYC) and 28% (ROW) lower than during incremental exercise. FATox is higher during ROW compared with CYC exercise across a range of exercise intensities matched for energy expenditure, and is likely as a consequence of larger muscle mass recruited during ROW.

Impact of Acute Eccentric versus Concentric Running on Exercise-Induced Fat Oxidation and Postexercise Physical Activity in Untrained Men

“…For example, the –12% gradient used in the present study could increase cardiovascular and metabolic demands and muscle damage to a greater extent than gentler inclinations, such as between –5% and –10% [ 28 ]. Moreover, several factors such as insulin level [ 19 ], mode of exercise [ 29 ], and the recruitment of muscle mass during the test [ 30 ] influence the rate of exercise-induced fat oxidation. For example, when individuals performed cycling and rowing exercises at the same intensity, fat oxidation was greater during the rowing session, and this was likely due to the larger muscle mass recruited during rowing [ 30 ].…”

“…Moreover, several factors such as insulin level [ 19 ], mode of exercise [ 29 ], and the recruitment of muscle mass during the test [ 30 ] influence the rate of exercise-induced fat oxidation. For example, when individuals performed cycling and rowing exercises at the same intensity, fat oxidation was greater during the rowing session, and this was likely due to the larger muscle mass recruited during rowing [ 30 ]. Lastly, Penailillo et al [ 4 ] reported that all participants showed greater fat oxidation during eccentric exercise, while four of our study participants had a greater rate of fat oxidation during the concentric FR exercise ( Figure 1 ).…”

Human Movement Monitoring and Analysis for Prehabilitation Process Management

“…Accurate monitoring could also give flexibility to the patient to perform a variety of home-based activities, which could elicit similar exercise intensities. For example, the patient may subsidize some physical activities with others (e.g., replacing treadmill walking with walking, rowing, or cycling) throughout the programme and still achieve a similar volume or intensity of training [27]. The remote monitoring of activity also has the potential to reduce the impact on healthcare facilities and healthcare members as well.…”

The relationship between peak fat oxidation and prolonged double‐poling endurance exercise performance

“…32 After a 5-minute break, V O 2peak was determined during a self-paced incremental exercise test to voluntary exhaustion. 32 In brief, V O 2peak was assessed applying a 10-minute self-paced test design, in which participants performed five 2-minute stages at intensities representing RPE of 13,15,17,19, and 20 on Borg's 6-20 scale. The participants were instructed to exert an all-out effort from the beginning of the last stage in order to attain a V O 2 plateau.…”

“…Interestingly, there are limb-specific differences in fiber-type composition, glycolytic and oxidative capacity, oxygen extraction, and storage of intramuscular triacylglycerol in highly trained cross-country (CC) skiers with equally trained upper and lower bodies, [13][14][15][16] which implies that the relationship between fat oxidation and performance may be different in upper body compared with lower body exercise. Furthermore, even at similar exercise intensities different fat oxidation rates have been reported between whole-body exercise modalities, [17][18][19] but it remains unknown whether this affects the potential relationship between peak fat oxidation and prolonged endurance performance.…”