FEMALES OXIDIZE FATS AND CHO DIFFERENTLY TO MALES IN EXERCISE

Carter, S. L., Rennie, C. D., & Tarnopolsky, M. A. (2000). Endurance training results in a decrease in glucose RA/RD during exercise at both absolute and relative intensities. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 32(5), Supplement abstract 1264.

The effect of seven weeks of endurance training on whole-body substrate and glucose utilization during 90 minutes of exercise at 60% VO2peak was investigated in males and females.

Training significantly improved VO2peak in both males (17%) and females (22%). Glucose rate of appearance (RA) and rate of disappearance (RD) were lower for both genders. During exercise, females displayed a significantly lower RER than males.

Females oxidized proportionately more lipids and less carbohydrate during exercise than males.

Implication. Females use fats and CHO to fuel exercise differently to males.

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