Research article - (2021)20, 170 - 178
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52082/jssm.2021.170
Maximal Fat Oxidation: Comparison between Treadmill, Elliptical and Rowing Exercises
Michelle Filipovic1,2, Stephanie Munten1,3, Karl-Heinz Herzig4,5, Dominique D. Gagnon1,3,
1Laboratory of Environmental Exercise Physiology, School of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
2Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Sudbury, Canada
3Center of Research in Occupational Health and Safety, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
4Institute of Biomedicine, Medical Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu University Hospital, Finland
5Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Poznan University, Poland

Dominique D. Gagnon
✉ School of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd., Ben Avery Building, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, P3E 2C6
Email: ddgagnon@laurentian.ca
Received: 01-07-2020 -- Accepted: 03-12-2020
Published (online): 01-03-2021
ABSTRACT

Fat oxidation during exercise is associated with cardio-metabolic benefits, but the extent of which whole-body exercise modality elicits the greatest fat oxidation remains unclear. We investigated the effects of treadmill, elliptical and rowing exercise on fat oxidation in healthy individuals. Nine healthy males participated in three, peak oxygen consumption tests, on a treadmill, elliptical and rowing ergometer. Indirect calorimetry was used to assess maximal oxygen consumption (V̇O2peak), maximal fat oxidation (MFO) rates, and the exercise intensity MFO occurred (Fatmax). Mixed venous blood was collected to assess lactate and blood gases concentrations. While V̇O2peak was similar between exercise modalities, MFO rates were higher on the treadmill (mean ± SD; 0.61 ± 0.06 g·min-1) compared to both the elliptical (0.41 ± 0.08 g·min-1, p = 0.022) and the rower (0.40 ± 0.08 g·min-1, p = 0.017). Fatmax values were also significantly higher on the treadmill (56.0 ± 6.2 %V̇O2peak) compared to both the elliptical (36.8 ± 5.4 %V̇O2peak, p = 0.049) and rower (31.6 ± 5.0 %V̇O2peak, p = 0.021). Post-exercise blood lactate concentrations were also significantly lower following treadmill exercise (p = 0.021). Exercising on a treadmill maximizes fat oxidation to a greater extent than elliptical and rowing exercises, and remains an important exercise modality to improve fat oxidation, and consequently, cardio-metabolic health.
Key words: Substrate oxidation, indirect calorimetry, exercise modality, metabolism

Key Points
  • The ability to oxidize fat has been associated with improved oxidative enzymes activity and mitochondrial biogenesis.
  • The present study examined the effects of treadmill, elliptical, and rower exercises on maximal fat oxidation rates (MFO), the intensity were MFO was observed (Fatmax) and on fat oxidation curves in healthy and young participants.
  • Both MFO and Fatmax were higher during treadmill exercise. Multiple linear mixed-effects regression analyses further revealed an effect of exercise modality on fat oxidation curves.
  • Adequate selection of exercise modality during training may have a meaningful impact on substrate oxidation. Treadmill exercise should be considered in training design for those looking to maintain or improve metabolic profiling.








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Maximal Fat Oxidation: Comparison between Treadmill, Elliptical and Rowing Exercises
Michelle Filipovic, Stephanie Munten, Karl-Heinz Herzig, Dominique D. Gagnon
2021(20), 170 - 178.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52082/jssm.2021.170