Improved walking energy efficiency might persist in presence of simulated full weight regain after multidisciplinary weight loss in adolescents with obesity: the POWELL study

Aim Weight loss leads to a reduction of the energy cost of walking but the respective implications of the metabolic and mechanic changes remain unknown. The present study compares the post-weight loss energy cost of walking (Cw) with and without a total reload of the induced weight reduction in adolescents with obesity. Methods Energy cost of walking and substrate use were evaluated during a graded walking exercise (4×6-min at 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5 m.s −1 ) before (V1) and after a 12-week intervention in 21 adolescents with obesity (11 girls; 13.8 ± 1.4 y). After weight loss, the walking exercise was randomly repeated once without weight reload (V2) and once with a loading corresponding to the total induced weight loss during the program (V2L). Body composition was assessed before and after the intervention. Results Body weight and fat mass decreased in response to the 12-week intervention ( p < 0.001), while FFM did not change. The absolute gross Cw (ml.m −1 ) was higher on V1 compared with V2 at every speed. The absolute net Cw (ml.m −1 ) was higher on V1 compared to V2L at 0.75 m.s −1 ( p = 0.04) and 1 m.s −1 ( p = 0.02) and higher on V2L compared with V2 at 1.5 m.s −1 ( p = 0.03). Net Cw (ml.m −1 .kg −1 ) on V1 being higher than V2 ( p < 0.001), and V2L higher than V2 ( p = 0.006). The absolute CHO oxidation (mg.min −1 ) did not show any condition effect ( p = 0.12) while fat utilization was higher on V1 compared to V2 and V2L ( p < 0.001). Relative to body weight CHO oxidation was lower on V1 compared to V2 ( p = 0.04) and V2L ( p = 0.004) while relative to body weight fat oxidation was higher on V1 than V2 ( p = 0.002). Conclusion Adolescents with obesity might not show an entire rise back to pre-weight loss values of their metabolic cost of walking when weight gain is simulated. These new findings suggest metabolic and physiological adaptations to weight loss of the energy metabolism that remain to be clarified.