Metabolic responses to feeding and exercise in men and women

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Abdullah, Nurul Fadhilah ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9816-629X (2020). Metabolic responses to feeding and exercise in men and women. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

Nutrition and physical activity are the main strategies to improve metabolic health among individuals who are obese. However, nutrition (e.g. energy intake reduction) and physical activity are often considered independently rather than interactively; hence, these strategies are not always effective. The purpose of this thesis was to investigate how nutrition and physical activity interact to influence metabolic relevant factors in obesity. In a first study it was observed, in a group of obese or overweight/centrally obese men, that an acute bout of aerobic exercise performed in the overnight-fasted state substantially increased whole-body exercise fat oxidation and Type I fibre intramyocellular triacylglycerol (IMTG) utilisation as compared to exercise performed in the fed state. In a second study, it was demonstrated that, like men, obese or overweight/centrally obese women responded to overnight-fasted vs. fed state exercise by considerably increased whole-body fat oxidation during exercise. Additionally, consuming breakfast after exercise as compared to before exercise suppressed appetite sensations and decreased subsequent energy intake at a later ad libitum style lunch. Comparisons between the men and women provided initial evidence that the magnitude of change in substrate utilisation with pre-exercise feeding was greater in women as compared to men. In a final study, a sex-difference in the response to feeding was confirmed, with women exhibiting an earlier metabolic response to glucose feeding and quicker return to baseline than men. In conclusion, the findings from this thesis have developed new insights in the understanding of the impact of feeding on substrate utilisation during exercise and the influences of biological sex on metabolic responses to feeding. This understanding may have practical implications on current practice, for example in terms of guiding future experimental research whereby sex-differences should be accounted in the metabolic research. The findings also can be applied in promoting healthy lifestyle behaviours and informing public health policy.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):