The accumulation of exercise and postprandial endothelial function in boys

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of accumulating 60min of exercise on endothelial function and triacylglycerol concentrations following the ingestion of a high-fat breakfast and lunch in 14 adolescent boys (aged 12 to 14 years). Two, 2-day main trials (control and exercise) were completed in a counter-balanced, cross-over design. Participants were inactive on day 1 of the control trial but on day 1 of the exercise trial completed 6×10min runs at 70% of peak oxygen uptake, spread over the day. On day 2, triacylglycerol concentrations and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) were measured prior to, and following, ingestion of the high-fat meals. In the control trial, FMD was reduced by 30% and 33% (P<0.001) following the high-fat breakfast and lunch; following exercise these reductions were negated (main effect trial, P=0.002, interaction effect trial × time, P<0.001). The total and incremental areas under the triacylglycerol concentration vs time curve were reduced by 11% and 16% in the exercise trial; however, these differences were not significant (P>0.05). These results support the concept of accumulating physical activity for health in adolescents as the accumulated exercise attenuated the decline in FMD seen following the consumption of high-fat meals.