Purpose: This study examined the potency of combining acute high-intensity exercise and energy intake restriction on postprandial triacylglycerol concentrations ([TAG]) in healthy girls.
Methods: Sixteen 11- to 13-yr-old girls (mean (SD) body mass, 45.1 (7.6) kg; peak oxygen uptake (V˙O2), 43 (6) mL·kg(-1)·min(-1)) completed three 2-d conditions in a counterbalanced crossover design separated by 14 d. On day 1, participants completed 10 × 1-min interval runs (HIIR) or 5 × 1-min interval runs combined with 0.82 (0.19) MJ energy intake restriction (HIIR-ER) or rested (CON). Exercise was completed at 100% maximal aerobic speed determined from an incremental peak V˙O2 test, with 1-min recovery between intervals. On day 2, capillary blood samples were taken in the fasted state and at predetermined intervals throughout the 6.5-h postprandial period. A standardized breakfast and lunch were consumed immediately and 4 h after the fasting sample, respectively.
Results: Based on ratios of the geometric means (95% confidence intervals (CI) for ratios), fasting [TAG] was 16% and 8% lower than CON in HIIR (-24% to -7%; effect size (ES), 0.49; P = 0.002) and HIIR-ER (-17% to 1%; ES, 0.24; P = 0.09), respectively; HIIR was 8% lower than HIIR-ER (-17% to 1%; ES, 0.25; P = 0.08). The total area under the [TAG] versus time curve was 10% and 9% lower than CON in HIIR (-16% to -3%; ES, 0.30; P = 0.01) and HIIR-ER (-15% to -2%; ES, 0.28; P = 0.01), respectively; HIIR-ER and HIIR were similar (-1%; -8% to 6%; P = 0.80).
Conclusions: Manipulations of HIIR and ER reduce postprandial [TAG] in girls. The magnitude of effect was marginally, although not meaningfully, greater after HIIR than that after HIIR-ER.