Effect of interval exercise versus continuous exercise on excess post-exercise oxygen consumption during energy-homogenized exercise on a cycle ergometer

Abstract

[Purpose]

The purpose of this study was to confirm that the difference in excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) during exercise of the spending the same calories between the continuous and interval exercise.

[Methods]

Thirty-four healthy college students who did not regularly exercise volunteered to participate in our study. Continuous exercise was performed on an ergometer for 30 min at 60% of maximal oxygen consumption (VO_{2 max}). Interval exercise was performed on a cycle ergometer at 80% VO_{2 max} for 2 min initially, followed by 40% VO_{2 max} for 1 min, and 80% VO_{2 max} for 3 min. This was repeated six times for a total of 26 min.

[Results]

The major findings were as follows: (1) energy consumption during exercise was not significantly different between continuous exercise and interval exercise groups; (2) EPOC was higher in interval exercise than in continuous exercise for all dependent variables (i.e., total oxygen consumption, total calories, summation of heart rate); and (3) there were no significant differences in the lipid profile between continuous and interval groups.

[Conclusion]

Our study confirmed that after equalizing energy expenditure for continuous and interval exercise on a cycle ergometer in subjects in their twenties, interval exercise results in higher EPOC than continuous exercise. These data suggest that interval exercise may be more effective than continuous exercise in reducing body fat, for a given amount of energy expenditure.

INTRODUCTION

Many studies have demonstrated the importance and effectiveness of exercise in managing health and losing weight. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends an exercise intensity of 40–85% heart rate reserve (HRR) or oxygen uptake reserve (VO₂R), a target energy expenditure of 150–400 kcal (or 20–60 min), and over three per weeks, 30 min of continuous exercise¹.

The reported positive effects of continuous exercise include relatively high increases in blood levels of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and growth hormone, the increased use of fat as an energy source, and the secretion of insulin and cortisol^2,3,4. Continuous exercise has also been reported to be effective for weight loss by increasing daily energy consumption^5,6. However, despite these positive effects, not many people are able to maintain these habits due to time constraints, exercise intolerance, and monotony⁷. Interval training has been recommended as a new exercise method that can eliminate these shortcomings^8,9. Interval training is a form of exercise in which short periods of intense exercise are alternated with less-intense recovery periods. It is good for improving both aerobic and anaerobic energy systems, and is very effective at increasing an individual’s VO_{2 max} and anaerobic threshold¹⁰. Thus, it is one of the most effective ways to improve cardiopulmonary functions, metabolic functions, health, and weight loss in the general population and in athletes⁸.

During vigorous and high intensity interval exercise, metabolic rates can increase exponentially, and the intensity and duration of exercise can greatly affect metabolic reactions, both during and after exercise⁶. In particular, during recovery, excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) is used to restore the body to a resting state, and to adapt it to the exercise just performed. Several mechanisms are attributed to EPOC, such as replenishment of oxygen stores in muscle and blood, increased circulation and lactate removal, resynthesis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and creatine phosphate (CrP), increased triglyceride/fatty acid cycling, and increased heart rate (HR), ventilation, and body temperature^11,12,13.

Several studies have stated the importance of EPOC to continuous exercise and interval exercise, and EPOC size have suggested more continual of exercise at higher intensity^6,8,14. However, in previous studies, most of the calories homogenized between continuous exercise and interval exercise were mainly compared to the same exercise time and different exercise intensity, or the amount of exercise estimated using a calculation formula. The was difference in actual calorie when the calories were homogenized with absolute intensity and time during exercise and there was no difference in EPOC¹⁶. Therefore, identifying the effect of EPOC on the homogenization of energy consumption between continuous exercise and interval exercise will be important in determining the optimal exercise routine to promote health and weight loss in the future. For accurate homogenization of kinetic energy consumption, it is important to eliminate extrinsic variables that affect the accuracy of VO_{2 max} measurements and EPOC measruements¹⁴. EPOC has been shown to be influenced by training status, exercise intensity and duration, and the thermic effect of food^6,15. Thus, to make a direct comparison between recovery oxygen consumption after continuous and interval exercise, it is important to ensure that exercise variables such as total work and duration are as similar as possible and to avoid confounding factors such as food intake before and after exercise^14,16.

Therefore, in this study we measured EPOC in continuous and interval exercise during or after exercise. Participants were provided with the same pre-food intake, and we homogenized the energy expenditure of during exercise between exercise types, in order to minimize extra variables, and accurately measure EPOC. In addition, the purpose of to provide was prescription of exercise by verifying the effect of EPOC of the continuous and interval exercise in subjects with twenties without exercise experience. The purpose of the present study was to confirm that the difference of EPOC during exercise of the spending the same amount of calories between the continuous and interval exercise.

METHODS

Participants

Thirty-four healthy college students in their twenties (mean age = 23.65 ± 2.17 years; n =18 men 16 women)’ who did not exercise regularly volunteered to participate in the study. Subjects who met one or more of the following exclusion criteria were deemed not eligible and were excluded from the study: unstable angina, having had a cardiac infarction within the previous four weeks, uncompensated heart failure, severe valvular illness, pulmonary disease, uncontrolled hypertension, kidney failure, orthopedic/neurological limitations, cardiomyopathy, planned surgery during the research period, reluctance to sign the consent form, drug or alcohol abuse, or involvement in another study. All subjects were fully acquainted with the nature of the study and were informed of the experimental risks before signing a written consent form. It was explicitly stated to the subjects that they could withdraw from the study at any point. All subjects had their pre-test research fully explained to them and provided voluntary consent. All procedures of the study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Konkuk University (7001355-201903-HR-305) in Korea and was conducted according to the Declaration of Helsinki.

Experimental design

To test EPOC and energy expenditure during and after continuous and interval exercise, we used a balanced repeated measures crossover design. This approach required gathering data on the subjects’ completion of two training sessions on separate test days, in a randomized order.

Each participant visited the laboratory three times. On the first visit we performed body composition tests (InBody 770, Biospace Ltd, Seoul, Korea), and a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test (Quark CPET, Cosmed, Italy) to determine the maximal values of VO₂ (VO_{2 max}). On the second and third visits, at 72 h after performing the maximal CPETs, respectively, individuals performed continuous cycle ergometer exercise at 60% of VO_{2 max}, and interval cycle ergometer exercise at 40% or 80% of VO_{2 max}. As soon as the exercise ended, subjects came down from the cycle ergometer, sat on a chair, and measured EPOC for 60 min.

Pre-testing measurements

All subjects performed a maximal aerobic exercise test using a cycle ergometer (Aerobike, Combi 75 XL, Tokyo, Japan) in order to determine their VO_{2 max}. The work rate at 50 rpm was 50 W for men and 25 W for women for the first 2 min, and was increased by 25 W for men and 12.5 W for women every 2 min. This continued either until exhaustion or until subjects were unable to maintain 50 rpm. The criteria for having reached the true VO_{2 max} was showing a plateau in VO₂ uptake, despite increased intensity of exercise and a respiratory exchange ratio (RER) above 1.15. HR was monitored using a Polar 800 device (Polar Electro, Kempele, Finland).

Exercise training protocol

Participants were transported to the laboratory at 8 am after a 12-h fast and 48-h abstention from vigorous physical activity. They were given a standardized breakfast of 2 pieces of bread (200 kcal), 1 boiled egg (80 kcal), 1 cup of orange juice (120 kcal), and 1 cup of water. Subjects rested in a comfortable posture after breakfast and participated in the experiment 2 h later. Ambient room temperature was maintained at 23 ± 1 °C. After 10 min of quiet sitting as a habituation period, we measured VO₂, ventilation, and RER for 5 min. The average was used as the baseline (BASE). The subjects then performed continuous or interval exercise on a cycle ergometer (Aerobike, Combi 75 XL, Tokyo, Japan). Speed was adjusted on an individual basis, according to each subject’s fitness level. The continuous exercise training was performed for 30 min at 60% of VO_{2 max}, and the interval exercise training was performed first for 2 min at 80% of VO_{2 max}, followed by 1 min at 40% of VO_{2 max}, and finally for 3 min at 80% of VO_{2 max}. This was repeated six times for a total of 26 min. The calories expended between the continuous exercise (Con Ex) and interval exercise (Inter Ex) groups were not statistically different (212.24 ± 68.47 vs 214.85 ± 66.32, p=0.503).

EPOC measurement

Immediately after exercise, participants were seated in a chair and relative VO₂, absolute VO₂, Kcal, HR, and duration were monitored for 60 min. EPOC values were determined at the time when VO₂, HR, and RER values returned to the resting baseline. Collection and analysis of lipid samples was done before exercise, immediately after exercise, after 30 min and after 60 min. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol were measured using a portable digital lipid analyzer (SD LipidoCare, SD Biosensor, Inc., Seoul, Korea).

Statistics

All statistical analyses were completed using IBM SPSS Statistics 23 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Data normality was verified using the Shapiro-Wilk test, and descriptive data are presented as mean ± standard deviation. A paired t-test was used to compare the differences between the two protocols. The effects of condition on EPOC were analyzed using a mixed procedure. Where main effects were statistically significant, post-hoc pairwise comparisons with Sidak-adjusted p-values were performed. Model-fitting was evaluated using Hurvich and Tsai’s criteria. All statistical assumptions were checked using standard graphical procedures. Statistical significance was accepted for p<0.05.

RESULTS

Figure 1 shows that the amount of calories expended during exercise was not significantly different between continuous and interval exercise(p=0.503).

Figure 1. Comparison of oxygen consumption during exercise.

Based on the EPOC results shown in Table 2, the EPOC duration was longer for interval exercise than in continuous exercise (31.24 ± 15.09 vs 45.90 ± 12.37, p < .001), which showed higher Inter Ex than in the Con Ex in all variables including VO₂ total (11992.40 ± 6481.05 vs 17425.24 ± 6329.98, p<0.001; men: 14980.78 ± 6529.74 vs 21410.32 ± 5411.21, p=0.001; women: 8630.48 ± 4616.70 vs 12942.03 ± 3803.88, p<0.001), VO₂/kg total (185.42 ± 98.94 vs 266.81 ± 79.62, p<0.001; men: 204.83 ± 103.40 vs 289.68 ± 84.35, p=0.001; women: 163.59 ± 91.98 vs 241.08 ± 67.46, p=0.001), Kcal total (58.14 ± 31.42 vs 82.72±28.69, p<0.001; men: 72.80 ± 31.82 vs 100.96 ± 23.79, p=0.004; women: 41.65 ± 21.82 vs 62.21 ± 17.92, p = 0.001) and HR sum (2931.64 ± 1560.92 vs 4557.10 ± 1419.05, p<0.001; men: 3026.21 ± 1346.65 vs 4630.17 ± 1330.58, p<0.001; women: 2825.24 ± 1811.68 vs 4474.89 ± 1552.43, p=0.001). When the results of oxygen-deficient were examined, VO₂ total (594.11 ± 242.10 vs 721.90 ± 347.90 p=0.009; men: 729.80 ± 194.71 vs 916.99 ± 347.18, p=0.006; women: 441.71 ± 197.76 vs 502.42 ± 180.62, p=0.394) showed a greater value than con Ex in inter Ex, and after separating the results for men and women, significant differences were only found in men. There was no significant difference in HR sum levels.

Table 2. Comparison of EPOC in Con EX vs Inter EX, ± SD.

Variables		EPOC				O2 Deficit
		VO2_total (mL/min)	VO2/kg_total (mL/min/kg)	Kcal_total (kcal/min)	HR_sum	VO2_total (mL/min)	Kcal_total (kcal/min)	HR_sum
Con Ex		11992.4±6481.05	185.42±98.94	58.14±31.42	2931.64±1560.92	594.11±242.10	3.39±1.35	28.98±8.17
Inter Ex		17425.24±6329.98	266.81±79.62	82.72±28.69	4557.1±1419.05	721.9±347.90	3.88±1.9	29.63±10.81
Δ%		45.3	43.89	42.28	55.45	21.51	14.45	2.24
Sig (p)		.000***	.000***	.000***	.000***	.009**	0.066	0.747
Men	Con Ex	14980.78±6529.74	204.83±103.40	72.8±31.82	3026.21±1346.65	729.8±194.71	4.19±1.06	29.00±8.74
	Inter Ex	21410.32±5411.21	289.68±84.35	100.96±23.79	4630.17±1330.58	916.99±347.18	4.94±1.96	30.73±13.36
Δ%		42.92	41.42	38.68	53	25.65	17.9	3.82
Sig (p)		.001**	.001**	.004**	.000***	.006**	0.066	0.758
Women	Con Ex	8630.48±4616.70	163.59±91.98	41.65±21.82	2825.24±1811.68	441.71±197.76	2.48±1.04	28.28±7.74
	Inter Ex	12942.03±3803.88	241.08±67.46	62.21±17.92	4474.89±1552.43	502.42±180.62	2.69±0.89	28.4±7.19
Δ%		49.96	47.37	49.36	58.39	13.74	8.47	0.42
Sig (p)		.001**	. 001**	.001**	.001**	0.394	0.557	0.938

Note: SD = standard deviation, Con Ex = continuous exercises, Inter Ex = Interval exercise, EPOC = excess post-exercise oxygen consumption, O₂ = Oxygen , VO₂ = oxygen consumption, HR = heart rate , Sum = summation, * p<.05, ** p<.01, *** p<.001.

Table 1. Participant characteristics. Data represent the mean ± SD.

Variable	Men (n=18)	Women (n=16)	Total (n=34)
Age (years)	24.28±2.49	22.94±1.53	23.65±2.17
Height (cm)	177.43±7.78	159.48±4.30	168.98±11.06
Weight (kg)	75.38±9.98	53.88±6.10	65.26±13.67
BMI (kg/m2)	23.86±2.04	21.19±2.28	22.61±2.52
Lean body mass (kg)	61.11±8.14	37.17±2.84	49.84±13.60
Fat mass (kg)	14.27±5.30	16.71±4.42	15.41±4.99
% fat mss (%)	18.74±5.71	30.01±6.06	24.05±8.13
VO2max (mL/min/kg)	36.84±6.16	41.08±4.49	32.08±3.86

Note: SD = standard deviation, BMI = body mass index.

Figure 2 is a comparison of lipid profiles on EPOC in continuous and interval exercise. There were no significant differences in total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL- cholesterol, or LDL- cholesterol in all variables (p>0.05).

Figure 2. Comparison of lipid profile on EPOC in Con EX vs Inter EX.

DISCUSSION

The purpose of this study was to confirm that there is a difference in excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) between continuous and interval exercise, when expending the same number of calories. The major findings were: (1) energy consumption during the exercise was not significantly different between continuous exercise and interval exercise, (2) EPOC was higher in interval exercise than in continuous exercise for all dependent variables (e.g. total oxygen consumption, total calorie, and summation of heart rate), and (3) there was no significant differences in lipid profiles.

In previous studies that did not homogenize energy consumption during exercise, EPOC was higher in the interval exercise compared to continuous exercise and interval exercise^17-20. In addition, Williams et al.²¹ compared the EPOC of 20 min of high intensity interval exercise and 60 min of continuous exercise, and found that the EPOC 30 min after exercise was higher in interval exercise, but the total EPOC after exercise was higher in continuous exercise. Larsen et al.¹¹ reported that with increasing intensity, EPOC and EPOC duration increase, but if interval times are shorter, EPOC is reduced to similar levels as seen in continuous exercise. Tucker et al.¹⁸ showed that in high-intensity interval exercise oxygen consumption was low, but EPOC was high. However, summation of oxygen consumption during exercise and EPOC was higher in continuous exercise. As such, when did not homogenize energy consumption of exercise in EPOC results show that the interval exercise is more effective, but it is difficult to suggest that the effect of the interval exercise is effective when the total exercise energy consumption is not significantly different. By difference energy consumption of exercise in the continuous and interval exercise resulted in higher initial EPOC in the interval exercise but higher total energy consumption in the continuous exercise, so ensuring equivalence between the exercise is considered important. Thus, it our data suggest that the equalization of calories during exercise is an important factor in determining EPOC and is an important factor to consider in presenting the effects of exercise. In this study, we consider EPOC to have been significantly increased, because caloric expenditure was well-controlled during food-intake and exercise.

In a study that homogenized energy consumption between continuous and spaced movements, McGarvey et al.¹⁶ reported no significant differences in EPOC between 31 min of continuous exercise at 65% of VO_{2 max}, and an interval exercise pattern of 90% VO_{2 max} for 2 min followed by 30% VO_{2 max} for 3 min, repeated 7 times for a total of 35 min. This may reflect differences in the EPOC measurement method. Most of the increase in oxygen consumption after exercise occurs in the early stages of recovery. As recovery continues, oxygen consumption decreases drastically, and the size increase with increasing standardized-duration decreases. Therefore, it is necessary to end when VO₂, HR, and RER return to the baseline. In addition, the method to homogenize energy consumption during exercise and EPOC was performed well.

In our study, interval exercise resulted in post-exercise VO₂, kcal, HR and EPOC measures 40% higher than for continuous cycle ergometer exercise. The results of this study support the hypothesis that the magnitude of EPOC and its duration is primarily dependent on exercise intensity^6,14. In relation to the increase in EPOC, the ‘Oxygen Debt’ theory may explain this finding. For example, it could be explained by the energy cost to resynthesize glycogen from lactate, the exercise-induced increase in core temperature, the resynthesis of ATP/CP stores, and changes in cytokine release^20,22. Consequently, greater exercise intensity may further increase the oxygen deficit at the onset of exercise, thereby affecting the body's homeostatic nature and resulting in a larger post-exercise O₂ intake. Mechanisms responsible for this could extend to increases in VO₂^6,23. As shown in Table 2 of our study, the increase in oxygen deficit increased by more than 20% for interval exercise, as compared with continuous exercise. These results are therefore consistent with previous studies that show increased oxygen consumption during recovery after high intensity interval exercise, because of increased oxidative metabolism that supplements energy expenditure after exercise^24-26.

In conclusion, our study confirmed that after homogenizing the energy expenditure of continuous and interval exercise on a cycle ergometer, EPOC is higher in interval exercise than continuous exercise in subjects who are in their twenties. This observation is important as it may help us understand why interval exercise has a greater propensity to induce weight loss than continuous exercise. Furthermore, these data provides a metabolic basis for enhanced fat loss during interval training that will be useful in establishing public health guidelines on exercise recommendations and weight management practices to reduce body fat. This should be qualified as only appropriate for young and healthy older populations who can perform such exercises. These exercise recommendations may promote weight loss and health, and result in better health outcomes in "time poor" modern lifestyles. Consequently, we suggest that interval exercise may be a more effective strategy in reducing body fat for energy expenditure increase than continuous exercise.