Abstract

BRAGA, Larissa; MELLO, Maria; MANCHADO, Fúlvia  and  GOBATTO, Claudio. Continuous and intermittent exercise: Effects of training and detraining on body weight and muscle metabolism in obese rats. Rev. Port. Cien. Desp. [online]. 2006, vol.6, n.2, pp.160-169. ISSN 1645-0523.

This study was designed to compare the effects of continuous and intermittent exercise training on body weight, carcass composition and muscle metabolism in obese rats. Obese male Wistar rats (treated with monosodium glutamate-MSG-administration, 4mg/g body weight, administered every 2 day, from birth to 14 days of age) were used. After drug administration, the rats were separated into three groups: MSG-SED (sedentary), MSG-CONT (continuous training = swimming, 45 min/day, 5 days/week, with an overload of 5% body weight during 12 weeks) and MSG-INT (intermittent training = 15 sec swimming intermitted by 15 sec rest, during 45min, 5 days/week, with an overload of 15% body weight during 12 weeks). Rats of the same age and strain, administered with saline (SAL) were used as controls and subdivided into three groups: SALT-SED, SALT-CONT and SALT-INT. The animals were evaluated after 12 weeks of training and after 8 weeks of detraining. MSG rats showed higher carcass fat content than SAL rats, indicting the effectiveness of the drug in causing obesity. Both training protocols were effective in reducing significantly body weight gain of SAL and MSG rats as well as the lactate production by the skeletal muscle of the MSG rats. The effects of the two protocols were transitory, since after the detraining period the observed benefits were reverted.

Keywords : obesity; intermittent training; continuous training; monosodium glutamate; rat.

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