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A comparison of normal versus low dietary carbohydrate intake on substrate oxidation during and after moderate intensity exercise in women

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Abstract

We compared the effects of consuming a 2-day low-carbohydrate (CHO) diet (low-CHO; 20% CHO, 40% protein, 40% fat) versus an isocaloric 2-day moderate-CHO diet (mod-CHO; 55% CHO, 15% protein, 30% fat) on substrate oxidation during and after exercise in ten active, young women. Subjects were 24.9 ± 6.2% body fat with a VO2max of 68.8 ± 13.8 ml/kg FFM/min. For 2 days prior to exercise, subjects consumed either the mod-CHO or the low-CHO diet and then completed treadmill exercise at 55% of VO2max until 350 kcal of energy was expended. During exercise and for 2 h post-exercise, expired gases were analyzed to determine oxidation rates for CHO (CHO-OX) and fat (FAT-OX). Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found between diets for CHO-OX and FAT-OX (mg/kg FFM/min) during exercise, 1 h post-ex, and 2 h post-ex. During exercise, FAT-OX was higher (low-CHO 8.7 ± 2.2 vs. mod-CHO 6.2 ± 2.2) and CHO-OX was lower (low-CHO 25.1 ± 5.6 vs. mod-CHO 31.1 ± 6.2) following the low-CHO diet. A similar trend was observed during 1 h post-ex for FAT-OX (low-CHO 2.2 ± 0.5 vs. mod-CHO 1.6 ± 0.5) and CHO-OX (low-CHO 2.5 ± 1.2 vs. mod-CHO 4.1 ± 1.9), as well as 2 h post-ex for FAT-OX (low-CHO vs. 1.9 ± 0.5 mod-CHO 1.7 ± 0.4) and CHO-OX (low-CHO 2.5 ± 0.9 vs. mod-CHO 3.1 ± 1.1). Significant positive correlations were observed between VO2max and CHO-OX during exercise and post-exercise, as well as significant negative correlations between VO2max and FAT-OX post-exercise in the low-CHO condition. Waist circumference and FAT-OX exhibited a significant negative correlation during exercise in the low-CHO condition. Dietary macronutrient intake influenced substrate oxidation in active young women during and after moderate intensity exercise.

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Acknowledgment

This research was support by a Miami University Undergraduate Summer Scholar Award to R. Patterson.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Kinesiology and Health, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA

    Rachel Patterson

  2. Department of Movement Science, Grand Valley State University, 310C DeVos Center, 401 West Fulton Street, Grand Rapids, MI, 49504, USA

    Jeffrey A. Potteiger

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  1. Rachel Patterson
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  2. Jeffrey A. Potteiger
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Correspondence to Jeffrey A. Potteiger.

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Communicated by Jacques R. Poortmans.

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Patterson, R., Potteiger, J.A. A comparison of normal versus low dietary carbohydrate intake on substrate oxidation during and after moderate intensity exercise in women. Eur J Appl Physiol 111, 3143–3150 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-011-1950-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-011-1950-z

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