Biking vs. Running HIIT in Men With Overweight/Obesity: Impact on Oxygen Consumption, Substrate Utilization and Appetite

Overweight/obesity, and more specifically intra-abdominal fat mass (FM), are strongly correlated with the development of cardiovascular diseases. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) has emerged as an effective strategy for reducing this detrimental FM. In 2016, AME2P laboratory was the first to demonstrate that HIIT training is more effective than continuous moderate-intensity training (MICT) in promoting the loss of intra-abdominal fat in postmenopausal women. A meta-analysis conducted by AME2P laboratory in 2018, including 39 scientific articles with 617 subjects, confirms the significant effects of HIIT on total and intra-abdominal fat loss in overweight or obese individuals . In addition to the tested modality (HIIT vs. MICT), it seems that the mode of locomotion (HIIT running vs. cycling) may impact body composition differently, with running being more effective for intra-abdominal fat loss and cycling for total FM loss. Cycling primarily involves concentric effort of the lower limbs, while running engages the lower limbs, trunk, and to a lesser extent, the upper limbs, involving both concentric and eccentric muscle contractions. These physiological/biomechanical differences have an impact on metabolic adaptations to exercise and recovery. Thus, at the same relative intensity during continuous exercise, oxygen consumption and energy expenditure are higher in running compared to cycling. Following exercises of intensity greater than 50% of VO2max, excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) and lipid oxidation are higher in running compared to cycling. The greater muscle involvement (engaged muscle mass) and the eccentric nature of running (causing muscle damage) are likely responsible for these adaptations.

To better understand changes in body composition following HIIT training in running versus cycling among overweight or obese patients, the investigators propose to compare two isoenergetic HIIT sessions. The objective is to compare post-exercise (+2h) oxygen consumption and substrate utilization. Considering the influence of practice modalities on dietary compensations, the investigators will simultaneously measure spontaneous dietary intakes over the following 24 hours.

Objectives

The main objective is to compare two isoenergetic HIIT sessions: running vs. cycling.

The two tested modalities are as follows: