Comparison of energy expenditure elevations following submaximal and supramaximal running. Laforgia, J., R. T. Withers, N. J. Shipp, C. J. Gore. Exercise Physiology Laboratory, School of Education, The Flinders University of South Australia, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia, Telephone: (08) 201 2256, Fax: (08) 201 3407
APStracts 3:0466A, 1996.
Although exercise intensity has been identified as a major determinant of the excess post- exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC), no studies have compared the EPOC following submaximal continuous running and supramaximal interval running. Eight male middle-distance runners ( +/- SD: age = 21.1 +/- 3.1 yr; mass = 67.8 +/- 5.1 kg; O2max = 69.2 +/- 4.0 ml.kg-1. min-1 ) therefore completed two equated treatments of treadmill running (continuous running: 30 min @ 70% O2max; interval running: 20 x 1 min intervals @ 105% O2max with intervening 2 min rest periods) and a control session (no exercise) in a counterbalanced research design. The 9 h EPOCs were 6.9 +/- 3.8 L and 15.0 +/- 3.3 L (t test: p = 0.001) for the submaximal and supramaximal treatments, respectively. These values represent 7.1 and 13.8% of the net total oxygen cost (NTOC) of both treatments. Notwithstanding the higher EPOC for supramaximal interval running compared with submaximal continuous running, the major contribution of both to weight loss is therefore via the energy expended during the actual exercise.

Received 23 April 1996; accepted in final form 20 September 1996.
APS Manuscript Number A415-6.
Article publication pending Journal of Applied Physiology.
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1996 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 5 November 1996