Dataset for "The impact of exercise intensity on whole body and adipose tissue metabolism during energy restriction in sedentary overweight men and postmenopausal women"

Dataset relating to trial registration ISRCTN86152135

Objective: To establish whether vigorous-intensity exercise offers additional adipose-related health benefits and metabolic improvements compared to energy-matched moderate-intensity exercise.
Methods: Thirty-eight sedentary overweight men (n=24) and postmenopausal women (n=14) aged 52 ± 5 years (mean ± SD) were prescribed a 3-week energy deficit (29302 kJ∙week-1) achieved by increased isocaloric moderate or vigorous-intensity exercise (+8372 kJ∙week-1) and simultaneous restricted energy intake (-20930 kJ∙week-1). Participants were randomly assigned to either an energy-matched vigorous (VIG; n=18) or moderate (MOD; n=20) intensity exercise group (five times per week at 70% or 50% maximal oxygen uptake, respectively). At baseline and follow-up, fasted blood samples and abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue biopsies were obtained and oral glucose tolerance tests conducted.
Results: Body mass was reduced similarly in both groups (∆ 2.4 ± 1.1 kg and ∆ 2.4 ± 1.4 kg, respectively, P<0.05). Insulinaemic responses to a standard glucose load decreased similarly at follow-up relative to baseline in VIG (∆ 8.6 ± 15.4 nmol.120min.l-1) and MOD (∆ 5.4 ± 8.5 nmol.120min.l-1; P<0.05). Expression of SREBP-1c and FAS in adipose tissue was significantly down-regulated whereas expression of PDK4 and HSL was significantly up-regulated in both groups (P<0.05).
Conclusions: When energy expenditure and energy deficit are matched, vigorous or moderate-intensity exercise combined with energy restriction provide broadly similar (positive) changes in metabolic control and adipose tissue gene expression.