Effect of Endurance Training on Gross Energy Expenditure during Exercise

Document Type

Article

Authors

Andrew W. Gardner, Arizona State University
Eric T. Poehlman, University of Vermont
Donald L. Corrigan, Purdue University

Abstract

We compared the effect of endurance exercise training on gross energy expenditure (GEE) during steady-state exercise in 20 younger men (31.2 ± 0.6 years) and 20 middle-aged men (49.2 ±1.1 years). The subjects trained for eight months. The training program consisted of three 45-min walking and jogging exercise sessions per week at an intensity of approximately 60-85% of the heart rate at peak VO₂, We administered bicycle ergometer tests at 0, 4, and 8 months into training. Participants exercised at a power output of 100 W for 10 min using a pedaling frequency of 50 rpm. We determined GEE (kcal/min) by measuring the oxygen consumption and respiratory exchange ratio. We found a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in GEE (0.7-1.3 kcal/min) following 4 months of endurance training in both age groups, with a further reduction (p < 0.05) noted in only the middle-aged group at month 8. We found no difference (p > 0.05) in GEE between the younger and middle-aged men. We conclude that chronic exercise may modify GEE during a submaximal exercise bout and that this adaptation is similar in magnitude in younger and middle-aged men.

Recommended Citation

Gardner, Andrew W.; Poehlman, Eric T.; and Corrigan, Donald L. (1989) "Effect of Endurance Training on Gross Energy Expenditure during Exercise," Human Biology: Vol. 61: Iss. 4, Article 7.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/humbiol/vol61/iss4/7