Comparison of Interval vs Continuous Exercise on a Cycle ergometer on Excess Post‐exercise Oxygen Consumption in Middle‐age
Authors: Jung Won-Sang , Hwang Hyejung , Kim Jisu , Park Hun-Young , Lim Kiwon 
Published: April 2020

Purpose

We conducted measure EPOC in the continuous and interval exercise during or after exercise, and it was required to provide the same pre food intake, and the homogenizing the energy expenditure during exercise to minimize the extra variables to measure accurate EPOC. In addition, the purpose of to provide was prescription of exercise by verifying the effect of EPOC of the continuous and interval exercise in subjects with middle‐age without exercise experience. The purpose of the present study was to confirm that the difference of excess post‐exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) during exercise of the spending the same amount of calories between the interval and continuous exercise.

Methods

Nineteen healthy middle‐age, who regularly not exercise trained in volunteered to participate in our study. The continuous exercise (CEx) was performed on a ergometer for 30 minutes at 60% of maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), and the interval exercise (IEx) was performed on a ergometer with 80% VO2max for 2 minutes at the first time, followed by, exercise with 40% VO2max for 1 minutes and with 80% VO2max for 3 minutes were repeatedly performed 6 times for a total of 26 minutes. All subjects were fully acquainted with the nature of the study and informed of the experimental risks before signing a written consent form to participate. It was explicitly stated to the subjects that they could withdraw from the study at any point. All of them fully explained their pre‐test research and received voluntary consent.

Results

The major findings were: 1. Energy consumption between continuous and interval exercise on an ergometer was homogenized (p = 0.503). 2. Which showed higher IEx than in the CEx in all variables of VO2_total (11043.58±7767.20 vs 11043.58±7767.20, p = .008), VO2/kg_total (248.21±42.72 vs 281.10±36.64, p <. 001), Kcal_total (53.15±37.18 vs 65.16±37.43, p < .003) and HR_sum was no significant difference. When the results of Oxygen deficient were examined, VO2_total (p < .001), Kcal_total (p < .001) and HR_sum (p = .001) showed a greater value than CEx in IEx.

Conclusion

Our study confirmed that when homogenizing the energy expenditure between interval and continuous exercise on an ergometer, EPOC is higher in interval exercise than continuous exercise in subjects with middle‐ages. This observation is important as it may help us understand why interval exercise has a greater propensity to induce weight loss than continuous exercise. Furthermore, this evidence provides a metabolic basis for an enhanced fat loss utilising interval training for exercise prescription recommendations for public health guidelines and weight management practices for reducing body fat. This must be qualified as appropriate in all populations, who can perform such exercise protocols weight loss and health promote and results in better health outcomes in “time poor” modern lifestyles.

Support or Funding Information

This work was supported by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Korea and the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF‐2019S1A5B8099542)