Rev. DERC (Online) 2021; 27(1): 10-18
The Effects of Physical Exercise in Metabolism and Aerobic Performance
Abstract
Background:
Regular exercise (RE) contributes to the reduction of obesity, improvement of aerobic performance and quality of life. However, it is still unclear whether this practice produces action on basal metabolism.
Objective:
To evaluate the impact of RE on metabolism and aerobic condition.
Methods:
This is an observational, cross-sectional, and analytical study, composed of 83 patients submitted to cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET), from January to May 2018. The mean age was 39.8±12.3 46 years, 46 were active (55.4%) and 37 sedentary (44.6%). All volunteers were also submitted to the following evaluations: anthropometric, indirect calorimetry and body composition (electrical bioimpedance).
Results:
The groups were similar in age, weight, body mass index (BMI) and waist-hip ratio. Bioimpedance showed no difference between the groups in the percentages of lean and fat mass. The sedentary patients, adjusted for age and gender, presented higher visceral fat (3.81L, 95% CI 3.32-4.29) than active ones (3.01L, 95% CI 2.56-3.47). In the multivariate analysis, it was demonstrated that RE did not influence the energy expenditure at resting (EER). The sedentary individuals had higher resting heart rate, lower oxygen consumption at the peak of effort and at the first anaerobic threshold. As for the indirect calorimetry of the effort, the active group obtained higher caloric expenditure.
Conclusion:
Therefore active patients showed higher caloric expenditure on exercise and better aerobic performance. However, unlike age, BMI and gender, RE did not change in the basal metabolism, evaluated by EER.
Keywords: Heart Rate; Metabolism; Oxygen Consumption; Physical Exercise
21