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Metabolic Flexibility in Exercise Performances and Metabolic Diseases

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A special issue of Metabolites (ISSN 2218-1989). This special issue belongs to the section "Endocrinology and Clinical Metabolic Research".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 July 2023) | Viewed by 14654

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Woo-Hwi Yang

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Guest Editor

Graduate School of Sports Medicine, CHA University, Seongnam-si 13503, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
Interests: metabolic flexibility; energetic contributions during different exercises; training intensity distribution; effects of low- and high-intensity exercises on physical health and performances; energy recovery during exercise; lactate metabolism; wearable device

Dr. Hun-Young Park

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Guest Editor

Department of Sports Medicine and Science, Graduate School, Konkuk University and Physical Activity and Performance Institute, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
Interests: various hypoxic training modalities for sports performance; clinical effects related to obesity, metabolic and cardiovascular disease by exposure or training in hypoxic conditions; development of various exercise methods
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Yongdoo Park

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Guest Editor

Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Korea
Interests: cardiomyocyte; metabolic switching; functional maturation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Improved metabolic flexibility reflects the efficiency of fat and carbohydrate oxidation, mitochondrial function, and oxidative capacity such as aerobic performance. These aspects are associated with exercise performance and metabolic diseases.

This special issue invites original research and review papers that address the following aspects of the field: (a) metabolic flexibility during exercises/sports, (b) metabolic flexibility regarding cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, (c) mitochondrial function, (d) lactate metabolism, (e) fat and carbohydrate oxidation, (f) energy recovery and (g) energetic contributions.

Dr. Woo-Hwi Yang
Dr. Hun-Young Park
Dr. Yongdoo Park
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Metabolites is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

fat oxidation
carbohydrate metabolism
mitochondrial function
metabolic syndrome
aerobic capacity
sports performances
energy recovery
lactate
athletes
public health

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 2255 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Diagnostics of ^ν_La.max and Glycolytic Energy Contribution Indicate Individual Characteristics of Anaerobic Glycolytic Energy Metabolism Contributing to Rowing Performance

by Frederik Schünemann, So-Young Park, Corinna Wawer, Christian Theis, Woo-Hwi Yang and Sebastian Gehlert

Metabolites 2023, 13(3), 317; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo13030317 - 21 Feb 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1711

Abstract

The diagnostics of anaerobic glycolytic metabolism which play a subordinate role in elite rowing and parameters such as maximum lactate accumulation rate (^ν_La.max) have thus far not been associated with ergometer rowing performance. The aim of the study was to quantify the glycolytic energy metabolism (W_Gly) during a 2000 m ergometer rowing time trial (RTT) and ^ν_La.max during a 10 s maximum ergometer rowing sprint test (RST) and to unravel associations between those variables and RTT performance. Combined post-exercise lactate measurements and oxygen uptake after RST and RTT were used to determine ^ν_La.max and glycolytic energy contribution (W_Gly) in seven male and three female German U 23 national rowers (N = 10, 19.8 ± 0.9 years, 183.2 ± 7.0 cm height, 79.9 ± 13.3 kg body mass, 16.4 ± 5.1 % body fat). W_Gly during RTT ranged from 7 to 15.5% and ^ν_La.max between 0.25 and 0.66 mmol∙L⁻¹∙s⁻¹. ^ν_La.max correlated with W_Gly (p < 0.05, r = 0.74) and the mechanical power output (W) for the first 300 m (300_first) during RTT (p < 0.05, r = 0.67). ^ν_La.max further correlated with ∆300_first−last (W) for the first and last 300 m (300_last) during RTT (p < 0.01, r = 0.87) and also within the subgroup of male rowers. ^ν_La.max displays a wide spectrum of individual differences in rowers. Due to this and its correlation to specific phases of RTT, it contributes to an individual energetic performance profile in rowing. Future studies must undermine the role of ^ν_La.max for exercise performance and whether it serves as a marker that can be specifically targeted for a training-induced increase or decrease. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolic Flexibility in Exercise Performances and Metabolic Diseases)

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19 pages, 4184 KiB

Open AccessArticle

HIIT Ameliorates Inflammation and Lipid Metabolism by Regulating Macrophage Polarization and Mitochondrial Dynamics in the Liver of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Mice

by Yin Wang, Yifan Guo, Yingying Xu, Wenhong Wang, Shuzhao Zhuang, Ru Wang and Weihua Xiao

Metabolites 2023, 13(1), 14; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo13010014 - 21 Dec 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2312

Abstract

High-intensity interval training (HIIT), a new type of exercise, can effectively prevent the progression of metabolic diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of HIIT on liver inflammation and metabolic disorders in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) mice induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) combined with streptozotocin (STZ) and to explore the possible mechanisms of macrophage polarization and mitochondrial dynamics. Our results showed that HIIT can increase fatty acid oxidation-related gene (PPARα, CPT1α, and ACOX1) mRNA levels and decrease adipogenesis-related gene (PPARγ) mRNA levels to improve liver metabolism in T2DM mice. The improvement of lipid metabolism disorder may occur through increasing liver mitochondrial biosynthesis-related genes (PGC-1α and TFAM) and restoring mitochondrial dynamics-related gene (MFN2 and DRP1) mRNA levels. HIIT can also reduce the mRNA levels of liver inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-6, and MCP-1) in T2DM mice. The reduction in liver inflammation may occur through reducing the expression of total macrophage marker (F4/80) and M1 macrophage marker (CD86) mRNA and protein and increasing the expression of M2 macrophage marker (CD163, CD206, and Arg1) mRNA and protein in the liver. HIIT can also increase the expression of insulin signaling pathway (IRS1, PI3K, and AKT) mRNA and protein in the liver of T2DM mice, which may be related to the improvements in liver inflammation and lipid metabolism. In conclusion, these results suggested that 8 weeks of HIIT can improve inflammation and lipid metabolism disorders in the liver of type 2 diabetes mellitus mice, macrophage M1/M2 polarization, and mitochondrial dynamics may be involved in this process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolic Flexibility in Exercise Performances and Metabolic Diseases)

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14 pages, 1446 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Running for Your Life: Metabolic Effects of a 160.9/230 km Non-Stop Ultramarathon Race on Body Composition, Inflammation, Heart Function, and Nutritional Parameters

by Daniel A. Bizjak, Sebastian V. W. Schulz, Lucas John, Jana Schellenberg, Roman Bizjak, Jens Witzel, Sarah Valder, Tihomir Kostov, Jan Schalla, Jürgen M. Steinacker, Patrick Diel and Marijke Grau

Metabolites 2022, 12(11), 1138; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo12111138 - 18 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2523

Abstract

Moderate endurance exercise leads to an improvement in cardiovascular performance, stress resilience, and blood function. However, the influence of chronic endurance exercise over several hours or days is still largely unclear. We examined the influence of a non-stop 160.9/230 km ultramarathon on body composition, stress/cardiac response, and nutrition parameters. Blood samples were drawn before (pre) and after the race (post) and analyzed for ghrelin, insulin, irisin, glucagon, cortisol, kynurenine, neopterin, and total antioxidant capacity. Additional measurements included heart function by echocardiography, nutrition questionnaires, and body impedance analyses. Of the 28 included ultra-runners (7f/21m), 16 participants dropped out during the race. The remaining 12 finishers (2f/10m) showed depletion of antioxidative capacities and increased inflammation/stress (neopterin/cortisol), while energy metabolism (insulin/glucagon/ghrelin) remained unchanged despite a high negative energy balance. Free fat mass, protein, and mineral content decreased and echocardiography revealed a lower stroke volume, left end diastolic volume, and ejection fraction post race. Optimizing nutrition (high-density protein-rich diet) during the race may attenuate the observed catabolic and inflammatory effects induced by ultramarathon running. As a rapidly growing discipline, new strategies for health prevention and extensive monitoring are needed to optimize the athletes’ performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolic Flexibility in Exercise Performances and Metabolic Diseases)

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11 pages, 3100 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Acute Moderate Hypoxia versus Normoxia on Metabolic and Cardiac Function and Skeletal Muscle Oxygenation during Endurance Exercise at the Same Heart Rate Level

by Hun-Young Park, Won-Sang Jung, Sung-Woo Kim, Jisu Seo, Yerin Sun, Jae-Ho Choi, Jisu Kim and Kiwon Lim

Metabolites 2022, 12(10), 975; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo12100975 - 15 Oct 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1457

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effects of acute moderate hypoxia (HYP), compared with those of normoxia (NORM), during endurance exercise with the same HR level on metabolic function, skeletal muscle oxygenation, and cardiac function. Twelve healthy men (aged 25.1 ± 2.3 years) completed 30 min of endurance exercise using a cycle ergometer with the same HR level (136.5 ± 1.5 bpm) corresponding to 70% maximal heart rate (HRmax) under NORM (760 mmHg) and HYP (526 mmHg, simulated 3000 m altitude) after a 30 min exposure in the respective environments on different days, in random order. Exercise load, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), metabolic function (saturation of percutaneous oxygen; SpO₂, minute ventilation; oxygen uptake; VO₂, carbon dioxide excretion; respiratory exchange ratio; RER, and oxygen pulse), skeletal muscle oxygen profiles (oxyhemoglobin, oxhb, deoxyhemoglobin, dxhb, total hemoglobin, and tissue oxygenation index; StO₂), and cardiac function (heart rate, stroke volume, cardiac output, end-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume, and ejection fraction) were measured during endurance exercise. HYP showed a lower exercise load with the same RPE during exercise than did NORM. In addition, HYP showed a lower SpO₂, VO₂, oxygen pulse, oxhb, and StO₂, and a higher RER and dxhb during exercise than NORM. We found that HYP showed lower exercise load and VO₂ at the same RPE than NORM and also confirmed a higher anaerobic metabolism and oxygen inflow into skeletal muscle tissue due to the limitation of oxygen delivery capacity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolic Flexibility in Exercise Performances and Metabolic Diseases)

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Review

Jump to: Research

12 pages, 1369 KiB

Open AccessReview

Energy System Contributions during Olympic Combat Sports: A Narrative Review

by Emerson Franchini

Metabolites 2023, 13(2), 297; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo13020297 - 17 Feb 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4518

Abstract

This narrative review focuses on the studies that estimate the energy systems’ contributions during match simulations of striking (boxing, karate, and taekwondo), grappling (judo), and weapon-based (fencing) Olympic combat sports. The purpose is to provide insights into the metabolism of these athletes. In striking Olympic combat sports, the oxidative contribution varied from 62% (in karate and taekwondo) to 86% (in boxing), the ATP-PCr system contribution varied from 10% (in boxing) to 31% (in taekwondo), and the glycolytic contribution was between 3% (in the third round of taekwondo) and 21% (in karate). In grappling combat sports, only judo was studied, and for a 4 min match, the oxidative contribution was 79%, followed by 14% ATP-PCr system contribution and 7% contribution from the glycolytic system. In fencing, the only weapon-based Olympic combat sport, the oxidative contribution varied from 81% (in the first bout) to 90% (in the second bout), followed by 9% (bout 2) to 12% (bout 1) contribution from the ATP-PCr system, and 0.6% to 7% contribution from the glycolytic system during 3 × 3 min bouts of épée match simulation. Hence, Olympic combat sports are primarily powered by the oxidative system, but the key scoring actions are likely fueled by anaerobic pathways. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolic Flexibility in Exercise Performances and Metabolic Diseases)

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