MEN BURN CARBOHYDRATE AND FAT AT HIGHER RATES THAN WOMEN

Hill, J., Gonzalez-Haro, C., & San Milan, I. (2011). Gender differences in maximal fat and carbohydrate oxidation rates. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 43(5). Supplement abstract 2258.

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This study determined gender differences in well-trained athletes on maximal carbohydrate oxidation and lipid (fat) oxidation. Well-trained road cyclists (M = 82; F = 17) carried out a laboratory test with a initial stage of 2.0 W/kg for 10 minutes and increments of 0.5 W/kg until exhaustion. VO2 uptake and VCO2 output were measured at the end of the tests. Maximal fat oxidation and maximal carbohydrate oxidation rates were estimated using Frayn's equations.

Men showed a higher maximal carbohydrate oxidation rate than women, as well as a higher maximal fat oxidation rate. There was no gender difference for respiratory exchange ratio.

Implication. Trained men have higher maximal carbohydrate and fat oxidation rates than well-trained women. This is one reason why women do not respond to carbo-loading as much as men.

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