Interaction of high-fat versus high-carbohydrate diets and physical training on energy metabolism in the rat

Introduction. - The purpose of this study was to evaluate insulin response and substrate storage and utilisation in fat versus carbohydrate-fed rats submitted to endurance training. Facts. - Body weight gain and food intake decreased with training (p < 0.001), as well as triglyceride concentrations (p < 0.05). High-fat diet increased glyceamia (p < 0.001), insulin (p < 0.05) and muscle glycogen (P < 0.01). Conclusion. - Endurance training and fat diet enhance lipid oxidation and spare carbohydrate substrate; this is considered to favour endurance performance capacity. Carbohydrate diet does not act on glucidic store and insulinemia in response to this kind of training. (C) 2007 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.