Journal of Applied Physiology Virginia Commonwealth University
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
 QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     


J Appl Physiol 87: 1413-1420, 1999;
8750-7587/99 $5.00
This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF) Free
Right arrow Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by van Loon, L. J. C.
Right arrow Articles by Wagenmakers, A. J. M.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by van Loon, L. J. C.
Right arrow Articles by Wagenmakers, A. J. M.
Vol. 87, Issue 4, 1413-1420, October 1999

INVITED REVIEW
Effect of training status on fuel selection during submaximal exercise with glucose ingestion

Luc J. C. van Loon, Asker E. Jeukendrup, Wim H. M. Saris, and Anton J. M. Wagenmakers

Department of Human Biology, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands


    ABSTRACT
TOP
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
METHODS
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
REFERENCES

In this study, an oral glucose load was enriched with a [U-13C]glucose tracer to determine differences in substrate utilization between endurance-trained (T) and untrained (UT) subjects during submaximal exercise at the same relative and absolute workload when glucose is ingested. Six highly trained cyclists/triathletes [maximal workload (Wmax), 400 ± 9 W] and seven UT subjects (Wmax, 296 ± 8 W) were studied during 120 min of cycling exercise at 50% Wmax (~55% maximal O2 consumption). The T subjects performed a second trial at the mean workload of the UT group (148 ± 4 W). Before exercise, 8.0 ml/kg of a 13C-enriched glucose solution (80 g/l) was ingested. During exercise, boluses of 2.0 ml/kg of the same solution were administered every 15 min. Measurements were made in the 90- to 120-min period when a steady state was present in breath 13CO2 and plasma glucose 13C enrichment. Energy expenditure was higher in T than in UT subjects (58 vs. 47 kJ/min, respectively; P < 0.001) at the same relative intensity. This was completely accounted for by an increased fat oxidation (0.57 vs. 0.40 g/min; P < 0.01). At the same absolute intensity, fat oxidation contributed more to energy expenditure in the T compared with the UT group (44 vs. 33%, respectively; P < 0.01). The reduction in carbohydrate oxidation in the T group was explained by a diminished oxidation rate of muscle glycogen (indirectly assessed by using tracer methodology at 0.72 ± 0.1 and 1.03 ± 0.1 g/min, respectively; P < 0.01) and liver-derived glucose (0.15 ± 0.03 and 0.22 ± 0.02 g/min, respectively; P < 0.05). Exogenous glucose oxidation rates were similar during all trials (±0.70 g/min).

exogenous glucose; endurance training; carbohydrate metabolism; stable isotopes; substrate metabolism


    INTRODUCTION
TOP
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
METHODS
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
REFERENCES

CARBOHYDRATE (CHO) and fatty acids are the main fuels oxidized by skeletal muscle to provide energy during prolonged exercise at intensities between 30 and 80% maximal O2 uptake (VO2 max) (29). The main CHO sources are muscle and liver glycogen, liver gluconeogenesis, and ingested CHOs (29). The relative contribution of these fuel sources varies with exercise intensity (1, 3, 5, 37) and training status (2, 7, 9, 18-20, 22).

Whole body calorimetry measurements have clearly shown that endurance training leads to an increase in total fat oxidation and a decrease in total CHO oxidation during exercise in subjects investigated in the overnight-fasted state (4) and also in subjects investigated between 1 and 6 h after ingestion of a standardized CHO-rich meal (7, 15, 20). Stable isotope tracers have been used to show that endurance training decreases the flux and oxidation rate of blood glucose at the same absolute intensity, whereas no change in glucose flux was seen at the same relative intensity in subjects investigated 1-2 h after ingestion of a standardized breakfast (15).

CHO ingestion during prolonged exercise at moderate intensities can increase time to exhaustion (6, 10, 11) and, therefore, CHO ingestion has become widespread among athletes, both professional and amateur, in a wide variety of sports. CHO ingestion leads to a better maintenance of blood glucose concentration and increases the ability to maintain high CHO oxidation rates during more prolonged exercise periods (10, 11, 17). It has been shown previously that ingested CHOs are oxidized with a maximal rate of ~1 g/min (17, 22, 39) and may account for >50% of the total CHO oxidation rate (39). Fat oxidation is reduced by CHO ingestion (12).

However, little information is available on the effects of training status on the relative use of CHO and fat as well as on the relative use of the different CHO sources in subjects who ingest CHOs during exercise. By using a [13C]glucose tracer, Krzentowski et al. (26) measured the oxidation rate of orally ingested glucose in subjects before and after a training period during exercise at 40% of pretraining VO2 max. They reported a 17% increase after training. They failed to find a decrease in total CHO oxidation, nor did they observe an increase in total fat oxidation. Jeukendrup et al. (22) compared a group of trained and untrained subjects exercising at the same relative intensity. In contrast with Krzentowski et al. (26), they found similar oxidation rates of the ingested glucose, a decrease in total CHO oxidation, and an increase in total fat oxidation. Blood glucose enrichment was not measured in any of these studies, so it was not possible to quantitate the relative contributions of muscle glycogen and of glucose released by the liver to the total energy expenditure.

Therefore, the first aim of the present study was to investigate whether a group of trained subjects has a higher rate of fat oxidation than do untrained subjects during moderate-intensity exercise while ingesting CHO, as has been previously observed in subjects who were investigated after an overnight fast. The second aim was to investigate whether trained subjects, who are accustomed to ingest larger amounts of CHO in their regular diets and who ingest oral CHO solutions during training sessions, oxidize orally ingested CHO at a similar or possibly at a higher rate than do untrained subjects. The third aim was to quantitate the oxidation rate and relative contribution of the other main CHO sources (muscle glycogen and glucose released from the liver). Therefore, six healthy trained cyclists/triathletes and seven healthy untrained subjects were studied during 120 min of cycling exercise at 50% maximal workload (Wmax) while they ingested a glucose solution enriched with a [U-13C]glucose tracer. The trained subjects also performed a second exercise trial at the same absolute workload as the untrained group, so that comparisons can be made both at the same absolute and relative workload. Total fat oxidation and total CHO oxidation were measured by using indirect calorimetry and the oxidation rates of the CHOs that originated from the different sources were indirectly quantitated by using tracer methodology, as described in detail in the following section.


    METHODS
TOP
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
METHODS
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
REFERENCES

Subjects. Two groups of subjects participated in this study. One group consisted of seven well-trained cyclists or triathletes. The other group included eight healthy, fit, but untrained, subjects not active in any sport and without any history of endurance training. Subjects' characteristics are listed in Table 1. Subjects were informed about the nature and risks of the experimental procedures before their informed consent was obtained. This study was approved by the local Ethical Committee.

                              
View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Table 1.   Subjects' characteristics

Pretesting. VO2 max and Wmax were measured on an electronically braked cycle ergometer (Lode Excalibur, Groningen, the Netherlands) during an incremental exhaustive exercise test (27) 1 wk before the first experimental trial (Table 1) to determine the 50% Wmax (~55% VO2 max) workload used in the following experimental trials (148 ± 4 and 199 ± 5 W in the untrained and trained groups, respectively).

Experimental trials. All subjects performed an exercise trial that consisted of 120-min of cycling at 50% Wmax. Subjects in the trained group performed a second identical trial, with the workload set at the mean absolute workload performed by the untrained subjects (148 W). This was done to study differences in fuel selection between the two groups when performing exercise at the same absolute workload. The order of the trials performed by the trained subjects was randomized, and trials were separated by at least 7 days. During the tests, subjects ingested a glucose solution that was enriched with a [U-13C]glucose tracer.

Protocol. The subjects arrived at the laboratory at 8:00 AM after an overnight fast. A Teflon catheter (Baxter, Utrecht, The Netherlands) was inserted into an antecubital vein, and a resting blood sample was drawn at 8:30 AM. Resting breath gases were collected (Oxycon beta , Mijnhardt, Mannheim, Germany), and Vacutainer tubes (Becton-Dickinson, Meylan, France) were filled directly from a mixing chamber in duplicate to determine the 13C/12C ratio in expired CO2. At 8:50 AM, the subjects started a warm-up of 5 min at 100 W; this was followed by 5 min at 40% Wmax. At 9:00 AM, workload was set at 50% Wmax for 120 min. During the first minute, subjects drank an initial bolus (8 ml/kg) of an 8% (80 g/l) glucose solution. Thereafter, a beverage volume of 2 ml/kg was provided every 15 min. This feeding schedule was chosen because it reflects fluid intake observed in cyclists during competition and has proven in earlier studies (22, 23) to result in tracer steady states after 60-90 min. On average, a total of 1.07 ± 0.03 and 1.07 ± 0.02 g/min glucose was ingested in the untrained and trained groups, respectively. Blood samples were drawn at 15-min intervals, and expiratory gases were collected every 15 min until the end of exercise.

Glucose. The 8% (80 g/l) glucose solution provided was prepared from corn-derived glucose (Amylum, Belgium), which has a high natural abundance of 13C [-11.2 delta per thousand vs. Pee Dee Bellemnitella (PDB)]. Glucose solutions were further enriched by adding 0.0526 g [U-13C]glucose/l (Cambridge Isotope Laboratories). The glucose solutions provided to the subjects had a 13C-enrichment of 67.1 delta per thousand vs. PDB [determined by elemental analyzer-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS; Carlo Erba-Finnigan MAT 252, Bremen, Germany)]. To minimize possible shifts in background enrichment as a result of a change in endogenous substrate utilization and differences in background enrichment of the different fuel stores, subjects were instructed not to consume any products with a high natural abundance of 13C during the entire experimental period. The magnitude of shifts in background 13C enrichment reported in subjects on a European diet (40) is <1%, compared with the enrichment of the glucose solution used here, which obviates the need for background correction. Subjects were further instructed to refrain from any sort of heavy physical labor and to keep their diet as constant as possible during the days before the trial(s).

Analysis. Blood (7 ml) was collected in EDTA-containing tubes and was centrifuged at 1,000 g and 4°C for 5 min. Aliquots of plasma were frozen immediately in liquid nitrogen and were stored at -40°C. Glucose (Uni Kit III, 07367204; La Roche, Basel, Switzerland), lactate (16), free fatty acid (FFA; Wako NEFA-C test kit, Wako Chemicals, Neuss, Germany), and glycerol concentrations (GPO trinder method, 337, Sigma Diagnostics, St. Louis, MO) were analyzed with a COBAS FARA semiautomatic analyzer (Roche, Basel, Switzerland). Insulin concentrations were analyzed by RIA (Linco ultrasensitive human insulin RIA kit). Breath samples were analyzed for 13C/12C ratio by gas chromatography (GC)-IRMS (Finnigan MAT 252). To determine the 13C/12C ratio in plasma glucose, glucose was first extracted with chloroform-methanol-water, and derivatization was performed with butyl-boronic acid and acetic anhydride as described before (33). The measured 13C/12C ratios in the derivative (GC combustion-IRMS) were corrected for the isotopic carbon dilution. This was done by measuring a series of glucose standards both in the derivatized form (GC combustion-IRMS) and by direct combustion of underivatized glucose (elemental analyzer-IRMS). The standard curve thus constructed was linear over a range from 0 to 500per thousand vs. PDB. From CO2 production (VCO2) and O2 uptake (VO2) (Oxycon-beta , Mijnhardt, Mannheim, Germany), total energy expenditure, CHO oxidation, and fat oxidation values were computed by indirect calorimetry. From VCO2 and stable isotope measurements (13C/12C) (GC combustion-IRMS, Finnigan MAT 252), the oxidation rates of exogenous glucose, muscle glycogen, and glucose released from the liver were calculated, as suggested by Derman et al. (14).

Calculations. From the recorded VO2 and VCO2, total CHO and fat oxidation and energy expenditure were calculated (32)
CHO = 4.585<A><AC>V</AC><AC>˙</AC></A><SC>co</SC><SUB>2</SUB> − 3.226<A><AC>V</AC><AC>˙</AC></A><SC>o</SC><SUB>2</SUB> (1)
Fat oxidation = 1.695<A><AC>V</AC><AC>˙</AC></A><SC>o</SC><SUB>2</SUB> − 1.701<A><AC>V</AC><AC>˙</AC></A><SC>co</SC><SUB>2</SUB> (2)
Isotopic enrichment is expressed here as delta per thousand difference between the 13C/12C ratio of the sample and a known laboratory reference standard, according to the formula of Craig (13)
&dgr;<SUP>13</SUP>C = <FENCE><FENCE><FR><NU><SUP> 13</SUP>C/<SUP>12</SUP>C sample</NU><DE><SUP> 13</SUP>C/<SUP>12</SUP>C standard</DE></FR></FENCE> − 1</FENCE> × 10<SUP>3</SUP>‰ (3)
The delta 13C is then related to an international standard (PDB).

Exogenous glucose oxidation (EGO) was calculated by using the formula
EGO = <A><AC>V</AC><AC>˙</AC></A><SC>co</SC><SUB>2</SUB> · <FENCE><FR><NU>&dgr;Exp − &dgr;Exp<SUB>bkg</SUB></NU><DE>&dgr;Ing − &dgr;Exp<SUB>bkg</SUB></DE></FR></FENCE> <FENCE><FR><NU>1</NU><DE><IT>k</IT></DE></FR></FENCE> (4)
in which delta Exp is the 13C enrichment of expired breath during exercise at the relevant time point, delta Ing is the 13C enrichment of the ingested glucose, delta Expbkg is the 13C enrichment of expired breath before exercise (background), and k (0.7467) is the amount of CO2 (in liters) produced by the oxidation of 1 g glucose.

Blood glucose enrichment was measured, and the following formula was used to calculate plasma glucose oxidation (PGO)
PGO = <A><AC>V</AC><AC>˙</AC></A><SC>co</SC><SUB>2</SUB> · <FENCE><FR><NU>&dgr;Exp − &dgr;Exp<SUB>bkg</SUB></NU><DE>&dgr;PG − &dgr;PG<SUB>bkg</SUB></DE></FR></FENCE> <FENCE><FR><NU>1</NU><DE><IT>k</IT></DE></FR></FENCE> (5)
in which delta PG is the plasma glucose 13C enrichment, delta PGbkg is the plasma glucose 13C enrichment before exercise (background), and constant k is the same as in Eq. 4.

Because PGO represents the oxidation of both glucose coming from the gut (exogenous glucose) and the contribution of the liver (glycogenolysis/gluconeogenesis), the oxidation rate of glucose released from the liver could be calculated by the following formula
Liver-derived glucose oxidation = PGO − EGO (6)
Liver-derived glucose equals the sum of glucose that originates from liver glycogen breakdown and from gluconeogenesis. In a previous study, we have shown that 90-95% of the glucose that is released by the liver is oxidized during cycling exercise at 50% Wmax (24).

Muscle glycogen oxidation could be estimated by using the formula
Muscle glycogen oxidation = TCO − PGO (7)
in which TCO is total CHO oxidation.

Recovery of 13CO2 from oxidation will approach 100% after 60 min of exercise when dilution in the bicarbonate pool becomes negligible (30, 36). Therefore, calculations on substrate oxidation were done between 90 and 120 min of exercise.

Statistics. All data are expressed as means ± SE. Unpaired t-tests were used to compare the differences in substrate utilization and blood parameters between the trained and the untrained group (at the same relative and absolute workloads). Analysis of variance for repeated measures was performed to study differences over time between groups. In case of a significant F-ratio, a Scheffé post hoc test was applied to locate the differences. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.


    RESULTS
TOP
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
METHODS
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
REFERENCES

Stable-isotope measurements. Both breath 13CO2 enrichment and plasma glucose 13C enrichment reached a steady state after 75 min of exercise (Figs. 1 and 2).


View larger version (17K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Fig. 1.   Increase in breath 13CO2 enrichment during exercise; values are means ± SE. Untrained group at 50% maximal O2 consumption (VO2 max); T, trained group at 50% VO2 max; T2, trained group at same absolute workload as untrained group. Enrichment of breath CO2 before tracer ingestion averaged -26.04 ± 0.10 delta per thousand vs. Pee Dee Bellemnitella (PBD).



View larger version (14K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Fig. 2.   Plasma [U-13C]glucose enrichment during exercise; values are means ± SE. Plasma [U-13C]glucose enrichment at t = 0 was -24.54 ± 0.38 for untrained group (UT), -24.57 ± 0.50 for trained group (T), and -23.01 ± 0.84 for T2 group, delta per thousand vs. PBD, respectively. * Significant difference compared with UT group, P < 0.05.

Blood parameters. No differences between the trained and untrained subjects were found in plasma glucose, insulin, and glycerol levels (Fig. 3 A, C, and E, respectively). Plasma lactate levels were significantly higher in the untrained subjects than in the trained subjects both at the same relative and absolute workloads (P < 0.05) almost during the entire exercise period (Fig. 3D). A slightly higher increase in FFA levels was found in the untrained subjects. Differences were statistically different compared with the trained group at 60 and 75 min (Fig. 3B).


View larger version (25K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Fig. 3.   Blood parameters for each group; values are means ± SE. A: plasma glucose, B: free fatty acids, C: insulin, D: lactate, E: glycerol. * Significant difference between T2 and UT at (same absolute workload) P < 0.05. # Significant difference between T and UT at (same relative workload) P < 0.05.

Energy expenditure. Raw data for calorimetry are illustrated in Fig. 4. Fuel oxidation is summarized in Table 2 and illustrated in Fig. 5. At a workload of 50% Wmax, VO2 in the untrained and trained group was 2.23 ± 0.08 and 2.76 ± 0.09 l/min, respectively (56 ± 2 and 53 ± 2% VO2 max). Energy expenditure was significantly higher in the trained than in the untrained group (58 ± 1.8 vs. 47 ± 1.6 kJ/min, respectively) when compared at the same relative workload. Mean heart rates were different in the untrained and trained group (160 ± 4 and 144 ± 3 beats/min, respectively; P < 0.05). In the trained group at the same absolute workload (148 ± 0 W), VO2 [2.19 ± 0.05 l/min (42 ± 1.2% VO2 max)] and energy expenditure (46 ± 0.9 kJ/min) were similar to the untrained group. At the same absolute workload, mean heart rates were significantly higher in the untrained than in the trained group (160 ± 4 vs. 121 ± 4 beats/min, respectively; P < 0.05).


View larger version (17K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Fig. 4.   Raw data for calorimetry; values are means ± SE. VO2, O2 uptake; VCO2, CO2 output.


                              
View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Table 2.   Contribution of substrates to total energy expenditure



View larger version (26K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Fig. 5.   Contribution of substrate sources to total energy expenditure; values are means ± SE. * Significant difference in T2 compared with UT, P < 0.05. # Significant difference in T compared with UT, P < 0.05.

Fat and CHO oxidation. When compared at the same relative intensity, fat oxidation contributed significantly more to energy expenditure in the trained (23.2 ± 1.5 kJ/min or 0.57 ± 0.03 g/min; 40% of total energy expenditure) than in the untrained group (15.9 ± 1.2 kJ/min or 0.38 ± 0.03 g/min; 33% of total energy expenditure; P < 0.05). No differences were found in CHO oxidation (with percentages of total energy expenditure in parentheses) [trained, 35.1 ± 2.4 kJ/min or 2.17 ± 0.15 g/min (60%); and untrained, 31.5 ± 1.2 kJ/min or 1.95 ± 0.07 g/min (67%), respectively]. Consequently, the higher energy expenditure in the trained group was completely accounted for by an increased fat oxidation. When compared at the same absolute intensity, fat oxidation also contributed significantly more to total energy expenditure in the trained subjects [20.6 ± 1.6 kJ/min or 0.50 ± 0.03 g/min (44%); P < 0.05]. Concomitantly, TCO was lower in the trained compared with the untrained group [25.6 ± 0.9 kJ/min or 1.58 ± 0.05 g/min (56%) vs. 31.5 ± 1.2 kJ/min or 1.95 ± 0.07 g/min (67%), respectively; P < 0.05].

CHO sources. No differences were found in TCO as well as in total endogenous CHO oxidation between the trained and untrained groups at the same relative intensity. PGO rates were similar in both groups [0.91 ± 0.04 g/min (69.3 ± 2.4 µmol · kg-1 · min-1) and 0.99 ± 0.07 g/min (76.1 ± 5.2 µmol · kg-1 · min-1) in the untrained and trained groups, respectively]. Muscle glycogen oxidation was not different at the same relative workload between the untrained and trained groups [1.03 ± 0.02 g/min (36%) vs. 1.20 ± 0.13 g/min (32%) respectively]. Oxidation rates of liver-derived glucose were also similar in the untrained and trained subjects when compared during exercise at the same relative workload [0.22 ± 0.02 g/min (7%) vs. 0.24 ± 0.05 g/min (7%), respectively]. PGO rates in the trained group at the same absolute workload were similar (0.87 ± 0.04 g/min; 66.5 ± 4.0 µmol · kg-1 · min-1) when compared with the untrained group. However, at the same absolute workload, endogenous CHO oxidation was significantly lower in the trained compared with the untrained subjects [0.87 ± 0.06 g/min (31%) vs. 1.25 ± 0.07 g/min (43%) respectively; P < 0.005]. This could be attributed to decreased oxidation rates of both muscle glycogen [0.72 ± 0.08 g/min (26%) vs. 1.03 ± 0.06 g/min (36%) respectively; P < 0.01] and liver-derived glucose [0.15 ± 0.03 g/min (5%) vs. 0.22 ± 0.02 g/min (7%) respectively; P < 0.05].

No differences were found in exogenous CHO oxidation between the two groups. At the same relative workload, oral glucose oxidation rates were 0.69 ± 0.03 and 0.75 ± 0.03 g/min in the untrained and trained group, respectively. At the 148-W workload, an oral glucose oxidation rate of 0.72 ± 0.02 g/min was found in the trained subjects. These oxidation rates represented, respectively, 23.6 ± 0.6, 21.0 ± 0.9, and 25.1 ± 0.7% of total energy expenditure in each trial.


    DISCUSSION
TOP
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
METHODS
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
REFERENCES

In this study, we investigated the effect of training status on fuel selection and oxidation in subjects exercising at the same absolute (148 W) and relative workload (50% Wmax) while ingesting glucose. By addition of a [U-13C]glucose tracer to the glucose solution taken repeatedly in boluses, a plateau was obtained in blood glucose 13C enrichment and breath 13CO2 enrichment after 75 min of exercise. This enabled us to quantitate the following components of CHO oxidation: TCO, oxidation of the ingested glucose, oxidation of glucose derived from the liver, and muscle glycogen oxidation.

We observed that endurance-trained subjects have a substantially increased fat oxidation during prolonged moderate-intensity exercise (37-50% Wmax) with glucose ingestion, as has been previously observed by others both in the presence (22) and absence (7, 8, 18, 20, 21) of glucose ingestion. When we made comparisons at the same relative workload (50% Wmax), we found a similar rate of TCO. The higher energy expenditure (as absolute workload is higher) recorded in the trained subjects was completely accounted for by the increased fat oxidation. When we compared both groups during exercise at the same absolute workload, fat contributed significantly more to total energy expenditure and, concomitantly, TCO was decreased in the trained group.

In this study, we found that training status had a significant effect on total muscle glycogen utilization during prolonged exercise of moderate intensity with glucose ingestion only when comparisons were made at the same absolute workload. Previously, a glycogen-sparing effect of endurance training has been reported in overnight-fasted subjects at both the same relative (21) and the same absolute workload (20). When compared at the same relative workload, oxidation of glucose produced by the liver (coming from gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis) was not influenced by training status. However, oxidation rates of liver-derived glucose were significantly lower in the trained compared with the untrained subjects when both were exercising at the same absolute workload. These findings have also been observed in a study by Friedlander et al. (15) 1-2 h after a standardized CHO-containing breakfast. Coggan et al. (7, 9) studied subjects before and after an endurance training period at 60% of their pretraining peak VO2 max. Coggan et al. observed that endurance training reduces both hepatic glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis during prolonged exercise at the same absolute workload in subjects after an overnight fast (9) and 6 h after a standardized light breakfast (7).

Combined data obtained from experiments in humans indicate that splanchnic glucose output rises linearly with exercise intensity up to 50-60% VO2 max (25). This would explain the similar oxidation rates of glucose derived from the liver in the trained and untrained subjects in our study during exercise at the same relative intensity. One possible explanation for the observed reduction in liver-derived glucose oxidation in trained subjects at the same absolute intensity is that the hormonal changes drive liver glucose output and are decreased after endurance training. Both decreases in plasma insulin and increases in epinephrine, norepinephrine, and glucagon have been implicated in the control of glucose output during exercise (7, 9, 25). Coggan et al. (7, 9) observed smaller decreases in insulin levels and a diminished increase in epinephrine, norepinephrine, and glucagon levels during exercise after endurance training.

In this study, insulin concentrations did not decrease during exercise, most probably as a consequence of the glucose ingestion. This explains the similar insulin concentrations recorded during all three trials. Glucagon and catecholamines were not measured. Another factor that could contribute to a reduced hepatic glucose production is the reduced availability of gluconeogenic precursors during exercise (9). We observed lower plasma lactate concentrations (Fig. 3D) in the trained subjects at the same absolute intensity. However, when compared at the same relative intensity, oxidation rates of glucose released from the liver were similar, although blood lactate was lower in the trained subjects. The fact that gluconeogenesis is low in subjects ingesting glucose (25) also seems to argue against a major role for gluconeogenic precursor availability in the control of liver-derived glucose oxidation.

It is concluded that both oxidation of liver-derived glucose and muscle glycogen are affected by training status when compared at the same absolute exercise intensity. Glucose ingestion during exercise seems to have no effect on the decrease in reliance on endogenous CHO oxidation in trained subjects when compared at the same absolute intensity.

Training status had no effect on EGO rates during moderate-intensity exercise at the same absolute and relative exercise intensity. Jeukendrup et al. (22) also did not find differences in oral glucose oxidation rates during moderate-intensity exercise between trained and untrained individuals at the same relative exercise intensity. EGO previously has been suggested to be directly related to workload or VO2 (28, 31, 34, 35). However, no significant differences were found between the trials, although EGO rates tended to be higher in the trained subjects at the higher workload (Table 2). Recently it was suggested that exogenous CHO oxidation (up to a maximum of 1.0-1.1 g/min) is only limited by the rate of absorption from the intestine (24, 39). The observed EGO rates were below maximal values because only low- to moderate-intensity exercise was performed. Furthermore, it has been suggested that endurance training, because of concomitant high dietary CHO intake and regular CHO supplementation during and after exercise, could lead to an adaptation in the gut that results in increased glucose absorption rates during exercise (38). Nonetheless, training status did not seem to affect EGO rates, at least not at this glucose-ingestion rate and workload.

In conclusion, this study shows that endurance training increases fat oxidation during submaximal exercise when glucose is ingested. When compared during exercise at the same relative intensity (55% VO2 max), endurance-trained subjects oxidize more fat to meet the higher energy demand, and they oxidize the same amount of CHOs. When they are compared during exercise at the same (absolute) workload, trained subjects have both an increased rate of fat oxidation and reduced oxidation rates of muscle glycogen and liver-derived glucose. These findings are similar to previous observations in studies of endurance training performed in the absence of glucose ingestion. Exogenous glucose oxidation rate is not affected by training status during moderate-intensity exercise.


    ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We thank the Gatorade Sports Science Institute for partial funding of this study.


    FOOTNOTES

The costs of publication of this article were defrayed in part by the payment of page charges. The article must therefore be hereby marked "advertisement" in accordance with 18 U.S.C. §1734 solely to indicate this fact.

Address for reprint requests and other correspondence: L. J. C. van Loon, Dept. of Human Biology, Maastricht Univ., PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands (E-mail: L.vanLoon{at}HB.Unimaas.nl).

Received 22 September 1998; accepted in final form 18 June 1999.


    REFERENCES
TOP
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
METHODS
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
REFERENCES

1.   Brooks, G. A. Importance of the "crossover" concept in exercise metabolism. Clin. Exp. Pharmacol. Physiol. 24: 889-895, 1997[Medline].

2.   Brooks, G. A., and C. M. Donovan. Effect of endurance training on glucose kinetics during exercise. Am. J. Physiol. 244 (Endocrinol. Metab. 7): E505-E512, 1983[Abstract/Free Full Text].

3.   Brooks, G. A., and A. L. Friedlander. Training-induced alterations in glucose metabolism during exercise (Letters to the Editor; Reply). J. Appl. Physiol. 84: 1481-1482, 1998.

4.   Christensen, E. H., and O. Hansen. Respiratorischer Quotient und O2-aufnahme. Skand. Arch. Physiol. 81: 180-189, 1939.

5.   Coggan, A. R. The glucose crossover concept is not an important new concept in exercise metabolism. Clin. Exp. Pharmacol. Physiol. 24: 896-900, 1997[Medline].

6.   Coggan, A. R., and E. F. Coyle. Reversal of fatigue during prolonged exercise by carbohydrate infusion or ingestion. J. Appl. Physiol. 63: 2388-2395, 1987[Abstract/Free Full Text].

7.   Coggan, A. R., W. M. Kohrt, R. J. Spina, D. M. Bier, and J. O. Holloszy. Endurance training decreases plasma glucose turnover and oxidation during moderate-intensity exercise in men. J. Appl. Physiol. 68: 990-996, 1990[Abstract/Free Full Text].

8.   Coggan, A. R., C. A. Raguso, B. D. Williams, L. S. Sidossis, and A. Gastaldelli. Glucose kinetics during high-intensity exercise in endurance-trained and untrained humans. J. Appl. Physiol. 78: 1203-1207, 1995[Abstract/Free Full Text].

9.   Coggan, A. R., S. C. Swanson, L. A. Mendenhall, D. L. Habash, and C. L. Kien. Effect of endurance training on hepatic glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis during prolonged exercise in men. Am. J. Physiol. 268 (Endocrinol. Metab. 31): E375-E383, 1995[Abstract/Free Full Text].

10.   Coyle, E. F., A. R. Coggan, M. K. Hemmert, and J. L. Ivy. Muscle glycogen utilization during prolonged strenuous exercise when fed carbohydrate. J. Appl. Physiol. 61: 165-172, 1986[Abstract/Free Full Text].

11.   Coyle, E. F., J. M. Hagberg, B. F. Hurley, W. H. Martin, A. A. Ehsani, and J. O. Holloszy. Carbohydrate feeding during prolonged strenuous exercise can delay fatigue. J. Appl. Physiol. 55: 230-235, 1983[Abstract/Free Full Text].

12.   Coyle, E. F., A. E. Jeukendrup, A. J. Wagenmakers, and W. H. Saris. Fatty acid oxidation is directly regulated by carbohydrate metabolism during exercise. Am. J. Physiol. 273 (Endocrinol. Metab. 36): E268-E275, 1997[Abstract/Free Full Text].

13.   Craig, H. Isotopic standards for carbon and oxygen and correction factors. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 12: 133-149, 1957.

14.   Derman, K. D., J. A. Hawley, T. D. Noakes, and S. C. Dennis. Fuel kinetics during intense running and cycling when fed carbohydrate. Eur. J. Appl. Physiol. 74: 36-43, 1996.

15.   Friedlander, A. L., G. A. Casazza, M. A. Horning, M. J. Huie, and G. A. Brooks. Training-induced alterations of glucose flux in men. J. Appl. Physiol. 82: 1360-1369, 1997[Abstract/Free Full Text].

16.   Gutmann, I., and A. W. Wahlefeld. L-(+)-Lactate, determination with lactate dehydrogenase and NAD. In: Methods in Enzymatic Analysis (2nd ed.), edited by H. U. Bergmeyer. New York: Academic, 1974, p. 1464-1468.

17.   Hawley, J. A., S. C. Dennis, and T. D. Noakes. Oxidation of carbohydrate ingested during prolonged endurance exercise. Sports Med. 14: 27-42, 1992[Medline].

18.   Henriksson, J. Training induced adaptation of skeletal muscle and metabolism during submaximal exercise. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 270: 661-675, 1977[Abstract/Free Full Text].

19.   Holloszy, J. O., and E. F. Coyle. Adaptations of skeletal muscle to endurance exercise and their metabolic consequences. J. Appl. Physiol. 56: 831-838, 1984[Abstract/Free Full Text].

20.   Hurley, B. F., P. M. Nemeth, W. H. Martin III, J. M. Hagberg, G. P. Dalsky, and J. O. Holloszy. Muscle triglyceride utilization during exercise: effect of training. J. Appl. Physiol. 60: 562-567, 1986[Abstract/Free Full Text].

21.   Jansson, E., and L. Kaijser. Substrate utilization and enzymes in skeletal muscle of extremely endurance-trained men. J. Appl. Physiol. 62: 999-1005, 1987[Abstract/Free Full Text].

22.   Jeukendrup, A. E., M. Mensink, W. H. M. Saris, and A. J. M. Wagenmakers. Exogenous glucose oxidation during exercise in endurance-trained and untrained subjects. J. Appl. Physiol. 82: 835-840, 1997[Abstract/Free Full Text].

23.   Jeukendrup, A. E., W. H. Saris, F. Brouns, D. Halliday, and J. M. Wagenmakers. Effects of carbohydrate (CHO) and fat supplementation on CHO metabolism during prolonged exercise. Metabolism 45: 915-921, 1996[Medline].

24.   Jeukendrup, A. E., J. H. C. H. Stegen, A. P. Gijsen, F. Brouns, W. H. M. Saris, and A. J. M. Wagenmakers. Carbohydrate ingestion can completely suppress endogenous glucose production during exercise. Am. J. Physiol. 276 (Endocrinol. Metab. 39): E672-E683, 1999[Abstract/Free Full Text].

25.   Kjaer, M. Hepatic fuel metabolism during exercise. In: Exercise Metabolism, edited by M. Hargreaves. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 1995, p. 73-93.

26.   Krzentowski, G., F. Pirnay, A. S. Luyckx, M. Lacroix, F. Mosora, and P. J. Lefebvre. Effect of physical training on utilization of a glucose load given orally during exercise. Am. J. Physiol. 246 (Endocrinol. Metab. 9): E412-E417, 1984[Abstract/Free Full Text].

27.   Kuipers, H., F. T. Verstappen, H. A. Keizer, P. Geurten, and G. van Kranenburg. Variability of aerobic performance in the laboratory and its physiologic correlates. Int. J. Sports Med. 6: 197-201, 1985[Medline].

28.   Massicotte, D., F. Péronnet, E. Adopo, G. R. Brisson, and C. Hillaire Marcel. Metabolic availability of oral glucose during exercise: a reassessment. Metabolism 41: 1284-1290, 1992[Medline].

29.   Newsholme, E. A., and A. R. Leech. Marathon running. In: Biochemistry for the Medical Sciences. New York: Wiley, 1983, p. 368-381.

30.   Pallikarakis, N., N. Sphiris, and P. Lefèbvre. Influence of the bicarbonate pool and on the occurrence of 13CO2 in exhaled air. Eur. J. Appl. Physiol. 63: 179-183, 1991.

31.   Péronnet, F., E. Adopo, D. Massicotte, and C. Hillaire-Marcel. Exogenous substrate oxidation during exercise: studies using isotopic labelling. Int. J. Sports Med. 13, Suppl. 1: S123-S125, 1992.

32.   Péronnet, F., and D. Massicotte. Table of nonprotein respiratory quotient: an update. Can. J. Sport Sci. 16: 23-29, 1991[Medline].

33.   Pickert, A., D. Overkamp, W. Renn, H. Liebich, and M. Eggstein. Selected ion monitoring gas chromatography/mass spectrometry using uniformly labelled (13C)-glucose for determination of glucose turnover in man. Biological Mass Spectrometry 20: 203-209, 1991[Medline].

34.   Pirnay, F., J. M. Crielaard, N. Pallikarakis, M. Lacroix, F. Mosora, G. Krzentowski, A. S. Luyckx, and P. J. Lefèbvre. Fate of exogenous glucose during exercise of different intensities in humans. J. Appl. Physiol. 53: 1620-1624, 1982[Abstract/Free Full Text].

35.   Pirnay, F., A. J. Scheen, J. F. Gautier, M. Lacroix, F. Mosora, and P. J. Lefèbvre. Exogenous glucose oxidation during exercise in relation to the power output. Int. J. Sports Med. 16: 456-460, 1995[Medline].

36.   Robert, J. J., J. Koziet, D. Chauvet, D. Darmaun, J. F. Desjeux, and V. R. Young. Use of 13C-labeled glucose for estimating glucose oxidation: some design considerations. J. Appl. Physiol. 63: 1725-1732, 1987[Abstract/Free Full Text].

37.   Romijn, J. A., E. F. Coyle, L. S. Sidossis, A. Gastaldelli, J. F. Horowitz, E. Endert, and R. R. Wolfe. Regulation of endogenous fat and carbohydrate metabolism in relation to exercise intensity and duration. Am. J. Physiol. 265 (Endocrinol. Metab. 28): E380-E391, 1993[Abstract/Free Full Text].

38.   Saris, W. H. M. Limits of human endurance: lessons from the Tour de France. In: Physiology, Stress, and Malnutrition: Functional Correlates, Nutritional Intervention, edited by J. M. Kinney, and H. N. Tucker. Lippincott-Raven, 1997, p. 451-462.

39.   Wagenmakers, A. J., F. Brouns, W. H. Saris, and D. Halliday. Oxidation rates of orally ingested carbohydrates during prolonged exercise in men. J. Appl. Physiol. 75: 2774-2780, 1993[Abstract/Free Full Text].

40.   Wagenmakers, A. J., N. J. Rehrer, F. Brouns, W. H. Saris, and D. Halliday. Breath 13CO2 background enrichment during exercise: diet-related differences between Europe and America. J. Appl. Physiol. 74: 2353-2357, 1993[Abstract/Free Full Text].


J APPL PHYSIOL 87(4):1413-1420
8570-7587/99 $5.00 Copyright © 1999 the American Physiological Society



This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
M. Beelen, R. Koopman, A. P. Gijsen, H. Vandereyt, A. K. Kies, H. Kuipers, W. H. M. Saris, and L. J. C. van Loon
Protein coingestion stimulates muscle protein synthesis during resistance-type exercise
Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, July 1, 2008; 295(1): E70 - E77.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Appl. Physiol.Home page
F. N. Daussin, J. Zoll, E. Ponsot, S. P. Dufour, S. Doutreleau, E. Lonsdorfer, R. Ventura-Clapier, B. Mettauer, F. Piquard, B. Geny, et al.
Training at high exercise intensity promotes qualitative adaptations of mitochondrial function in human skeletal muscle
J Appl Physiol, May 1, 2008; 104(5): 1436 - 1441.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
L. Moseley, R. L. P. G. Jentjens, R. H. Waring, R. M. Harris, L. K. Harding, and A. E. Jeukendrup
Measurement of exogenous carbohydrate oxidation: a comparison of [U-14C]glucose and [U-13C]glucose tracers
Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, August 1, 2005; 289(2): E206 - E211.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Appl. Physiol.Home page
M. C. Venables, J. Achten, and A. E. Jeukendrup
Determinants of fat oxidation during exercise in healthy men and women: a cross-sectional study
J Appl Physiol, January 1, 2005; 98(1): 160 - 167.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
B. Mittendorfer, D. A. Fields, and S. Klein
Excess body fat in men decreases plasma fatty acid availability and oxidation during endurance exercise
Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, March 1, 2004; 286(3): E354 - E362.
[Abstract] [Full Text]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
B. Mittendorfer, J. F. Horowitz, and S. Klein
Effect of gender on lipid kinetics during endurance exercise of moderate intensity in untrained subjects
Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, July 1, 2002; 283(1): E58 - E65.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
DiabetesHome page
P. Schrauwen, D. P.C. van Aggel-Leijssen, G. Hul, A. J.M. Wagenmakers, H. Vidal, W. H.M. Saris, and M. A. van Baak
The Effect of a 3-Month Low-Intensity Endurance Training Program on Fat Oxidation and Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase-2 Expression
Diabetes, July 1, 2002; 51(7): 2220 - 2226.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Appl. Physiol.Home page
D. P. C. Van Aggel-Leijssen, W. H. M. Saris, A. J. M. Wagenmakers, J. M. Senden, and M. A. Van Baak
Effect of exercise training at different intensities on fat metabolism of obese men
J Appl Physiol, March 1, 2002; 92(3): 1300 - 1309.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Appl. Physiol.Home page
R. L. P. G. Jentjens, L. J. C. van Loon, C. H. Mann, A. J. M. Wagenmakers, and A. E. Jeukendrup
Addition of protein and amino acids to carbohydrates does not enhance postexercise muscle glycogen synthesis
J Appl Physiol, August 1, 2001; 91(2): 839 - 846.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF) Free
Right arrow Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by van Loon, L. J. C.
Right arrow Articles by Wagenmakers, A. J. M.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by van Loon, L. J. C.
Right arrow Articles by Wagenmakers, A. J. M.


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Visit Other APS Journals Online