A Comparison of Continuous, Interval, and Accumulated Workouts with Equalized Exercise Volume: Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption in Women

Abstract Background: Despite the various benefits of exercise, women's participation in exercise is low. Therefore, we need to consider ways to maximize the effect of exercise. Excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) can maximize energy consumption. We aimed to compare the EPOC during different exercise modalities including continuous exercise (CE), interval exercise (IE), and accumulated exercise (AE) that spent the homogenized energy expenditure during exercise in healthy women. Methods: Study design: Randomized crossover trial. Participants: Forty-four participants (age, 36.09 ± 11.73 years) were recruited and randomly allocated to three groups. Trials: The intensity of each modality was set as follows: CE was performed for 30 min at 60% peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak). IE was performed once for 2 min at 80% VO2peak, followed by 3 min at 80% VO2peak, and 1 min at 40% VO2peak, for a total of six times over 26 min. AE was performed for 10 min with a 60% VO2peak and was measured three times a day. Results: During exercise, carbohydrate oxidation (CHO) and fatty acid oxidation (FAO) were the largest in IE (p < 0.05) and CE (p < 0.001), respectively, and there was no difference in energy expenditure (EE) (p = 0.635) between exercise modalities. On the other hand, CHO, FAO, and EE were the largest in AE (all p < 0.001) during EPOC. As a result, the greatest energy metabolism was shown in AE (all p < 0.001) during exercise and EPOC. Conclusions: We confirmed that more effective energy metabolism can occur due to the accumulation of EPOC when short-time exercise is repeated several times. In recommending regular exercise, AE can increase compliance with exercise participation through a short exercise time and can help improve health with an exercise modality that maximizes energy consumption through EPOC. Trial registration: Clinical number (KCT0007298), Institutional Review Board of Konkuk University (7001355-202201-E-160).