Abstract:
Endurance training in high altitude induces changes in substrate utilization. We asked if there are differences in fat metabolism during moderate endurance exercise in acute hypoxia (AH) compared to normoxia (N). We examined 8 trained endurance athletes who performed a continuous treadmill run of 120min with an intensity of 70% individual anaerobic threshold (IAT) under acute hypoxia (15,5% O2 corresponding to an altitude of 2500m) and under sea level conditions (20,9% O2). Intramyocellular lipids (IMCL) considered to be a major source of non-plasma-derived FFA were quantified by 1H-MR spectroscopy in the tibialis anterior (TA) and soleus (SOL) muscles prior to and after exercise.
One athlete did not finish exercise because of exhaustion, so all data used, correspond to the 7 athletes who finished performance.
All athletes (7 men; age 31,6±7,5; average training experience in years 11,0±5,4; height 174,6±7,5 cm; weight 66,2±7,9 kg; IAS 15,2±1,5; HfIAS 162,2±5,2 [n=6]; average performing distance within the last 3 months in km/week 53,6±32,8; average performing time within the last 3 months in h/week 6,9±3,3) were examined by 1H-MRS before and after exercise, continuously checked by ECG and spirometry, got half-hourly examination of venous and capillary blood and were questioned about complaints and strains (via scale of Bork).
Concentrations of free fatty acids (FFA) and glycerol augmented while exercising in AH, same as utilization of carbohydrates (CHO). Spirometry data showed increasing levels of respiratory quotient (RQ) in AH about 1, in N levels up to 0,87 - 0,90. These results point to an increased utilization of CHO under both conditions. Results of stimulating parameters of lipolysis (Epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, Il-6 and cortisol) and inhibitors of lipolysis (insuline) are according with these findings.
We found significant decreases in IMCL content in SOL and TA after exercise in AH and N (TAN -20,6%; TAAH -18,8% and p<0,05; SOLN -20,5%; SOLAH -27,1% and p<0,05). The decrease was approximately the same in SOL and TA, despite different tissue composition. There were no significant changes between AH and N.
In summary, we suggest that during moderate running exercise under acute hypoxia carbohydrate utilization is altered and plasma free fatty acids play a subordinate position. On the other hand, the use of intramyocellular lipids in hypoxia should not be neglected.