Acute And Chronic Green Tea Extract Supplementation Produce Similar Increases In Submaximal Exercise Fat Oxidation
Douglas G. Whyte Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise Volume 45, May 2013, Supplement 1 5S, p 192
Green tea has been shown to increase fat oxidation both at rest and during submaximal exercise. This increase in fat oxidation is thought to be mediated by the inhibition of catechol-O-methyl transferase by epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the most pharmacologically active catechin found in green tea. To date, studies in this area have used a wide range of supplementation protocols, ranging from a single acute dose two hours prior to exercise to several months of daily supplementation. While chronic consumption has been shown to enhance some of green tea’s
health benefits, it is unclear whether there is a benefit in terms of fat oxidation during submaximal exercise.
PURPOSE: To determine if fat oxidation during submaximal exercise is increased in response to chronic compared to acute EGCG supplementation.
METHODS: Six recreationally active male subjects (age 25 ± 3 yr; VO2max 45.2 ± 1 ml.kg-1.min-1; Peak Power 243 ± 13 W) performed four submaximal 30 min rides on a bicycle ergometer at 50%Wmax (~55% VO2max) after acute (2 h) or chronic (7 d) supplementation of either placebo or EGCG (270 mg/d). Trials were conducted in a double-blind, cross-over manner with a one-week washout imposed between treatments. VO2, VCO2, HR and RPE were recorded at the end of each 10 min block throughout the ride. Blood samples for the determination of plasma concentrations of glucose, glycerol and free fatty acids were taken pre and post exercise. Treatment comparisons were made using two-way repeated measures ANOVA.
RESULTS: Fat oxidation increased throughout each trial (P < 0.01, 2 = 0.60), whereas carbohydrate oxidation decreased (P < 0.01, 2 = 0.66). While carbohydrate oxidation was lower in the EGCG trials (P = 0.05, 2 = 0.40), there was only a trend towards an increase in fat oxidation (P = 0.06, 2 0.38). There was no difference between acute and chronic supplementation protocols within the same treatment. No difference was seen between treatments in any of the blood parameters measured.
CONCLUSION: Chronic supplementation with EGCG does not increase fat oxidation during submaximal exercise above that achieved with an acute dose.