Fasting vs. post-breakfast tabata exercise: implications for substrate metabolism and energy expenditure in young normal-weight women
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Clinical Trial
Abstract: Introduction: post-breakfast states on substrate metabolism and energy expenditure during Tabata exercise remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the metabolic responses to Tabata exercise under fasting and post-breakfast conditions in women, providing insight into how nutritional status acutely influences substrate utilization and energy expenditure. Methods: )completed a randomized counterbalanced crossover trial, performing a 4-min Tabata workout under fasting (11-15 h overnight fast) and post-breakfast (90 min after a standardized meal) conditions. Gas exchange was continuously monitored to calculate fat oxidation, glucose oxidation, and energy expenditure. Results: Fat oxidation was significantly higher in the fasting condition at all analyzed time points, with the largest difference observed at 60 s (1.05 ± 0.18 vs. 0.61 ± 0.07 g/min, p < 0.001). In contrast, glucose oxidation was consistently higher in the post-breakfast condition, peaking at 150 s (3.65 ± 0.52 vs. 3.38 ± 0.46 g/min, p < 0.001). Total energy expenditure was also greater post-breakfast, reaching 10.18 ± 0.29 kcal/min at 120 s compared with 9.70 ± 0.39 kcal/min in the fasting condition (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Fasting and post-breakfast conditions elicit distinct acute metabolic responses during Tabata exercise in women. Fat oxidation was higher in the fasting state, while glucose oxidation and total energy expenditure were consistently higher in the post-breakfast state.
Source: Frontiers in Physiology
Institution: Guangxi Normal University
Language: English
Subfield: Complementary and alternative medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
OpenAlex ID: W7124425224