International Journal of Sport, Exercise and Health Research 2022; 6(1): 37-42 DOI:10.31254/sportmed.6107
Aerobic Exercise in the Fasted State: The Effects on Aerobic Capacity in Healthy Adults
1. Author affiliations: Consultant Family Medicine, Al Wajbah Health Centre, Primary Health Care Corporation, Doha, Qatar
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 12th February, 2022 / Accepted: 19th March, 2022
There are numerous variables that can affect energy metabolism during aerobic exercise and possibly play a role in the increase of aerobic capacity. Dependence on fat oxidation such a factor and approaches are sought to maximise adaptations in enhancing this metabolic switch. A strategy that has been explored increasingly is the dietary pattern of the fasted state. With aerobic exercise and the fasted state relying on complimentary energy metabolism pathways, this literature review aimed to investigate a pivotal interaction between aerobic exercise in the fasted state and possible benefits for aerobic capacity. The hypothesis, ‘aerobic exercise in the fasted state will enhance aerobic capacity in healthy adults’, was tested through exploration of implications for aerobic capacity with aerobic exercise in the fasted state. A review of the relevant literature since 2005 relating to the healthy adult population was undertaken, resulting in the critical appraisal of 41 articles. The findings from this review support metabolic switching in fasted state aerobic exercise, demonstrating preferential reliance on fat oxidation, enhanced glucose metabolism and mitochondrial activity. There appear to be benefits that can be derived for aerobic capacity, but further research is warranted to attain greater definition of the effect with fasted state aerobic exercise.
Endurance Exercise, Ffasted State, Aerobic Capacity
