The effects of aerobic and anaerobic exercise on resting metabolic rate, thermic effect of a meal, and excess postexercise oxygen consumption

Wilfred Daniel Schmidt, Purdue University

Abstract

It remains unclear what effect, if any, chronic and/or acute bouts of aerobic or anaerobic exercise will have on two of the primary components of daily energy expenditure, resting metabolic rate (RMR) and the thermic effect of a meal (TEM). The purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to compare the RMR and TEM of anaerobically trained collegiate wrestlers (n = 9; mean VO$\sb2$ max = 51.01) to that of aerobically trained middle and long distance collegiate swimmers (n = 9; mean VO$\sb2$ max = 57.16) and (2) to determine the effects of an acute energy system specific exercise session on the excess postexercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) of the wrestlers and swimmers respectively. An analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with fat free weight as the covariate revealed no significant difference in RMR between the two groups. A repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) for TEM showed a significant interaction of group by time (p $<$ 0.0001) such that the swimmers had a greater TEM than the wrestlers when measured for 180 minutes postprandially. EPOC was measured in both groups following intermittent and continuous exercise using simultaneous arm and leg ergometry. A repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant interaction (p $<$ 0.0001) of condition by time with a greater magnitude of EPOC in both groups following the intermittent bout. There was also a significant interaction (p $<$ 0.0001) of group by time with the wrestlers showing a greater magnitude of EPOC than the swimmers across the two exercise conditions. There were no differences in baseline triiodothyronine, total plasma thyroxin, and free plasma thyroxin between the two groups. However, plasma glucose measured at 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 180 minutes postprandial provided some evidence that the swimmers may have had an accelerated rate of cellular glucose uptake as the wrestlers showed higher levels of plasma glucose across the postprandial measurement period. Plasma insulin measured during the same time period was similar for both groups. It was concluded that there was no difference in the RMR of college wrestlers and middle and long distance college swimmers, however TEM was greater in the swimmers when measured for 180 minutes postprandial. Furthermore, high intensity, anaerobic type exercise resulted in a significantly greater magnitude of EPOC than aerobic exercise of equal work output.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Hyner, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Physical education|Anatomy & physiology|Animals

COinS