Supertraining

Thanks for the article Jamie, it's interesting to see once again how
research is 'extrapolated'

Whilst this research may provide new insight into discrete biological
mechanisms of fat metabolism, and be useful for athletic weight management
the article has very limited value, with regard to the current society wide
issues of  weight management and obesity.  To make any meaningful steps
forward in helping everyday people change their lifestyles we need to move
forward into the 21st century and stop harping on about the unhelpful idea
that weight loss and lifestyle change is "simply a case of energy in vs
energy out".

Consider the two conclusion paragraphs:  

                       > Imbreault suggests that exercise doesn't do much to
crank up metabolism over the long term either, despite what the headlines in
fitness magazines claim. "Exercise is not that powerful," he said.

                      > By making healthy food choices and cutting portion
size to reduce the number of calories consumed on more days than not, anyone
can become a calorie-burning machine that slowly but steadily loses excess
body weight.

These statements don't factor in the importance of the obesogenic
environment, psychological factors, socio-economic levels &
knowledge/education.  The research may have merit, but any obesity related
weight management worker, in my opinion, should take the article with a
hearty handful of salt.

Exercise can provide stress relief, exercise can facilitate dietary change,
exercise can provide social interaction and peer support which can lead to
dietary change and positive reinforcement, exercise can effect the
neurological and endocrine system to provide the opportunity to start
thinking differently  and more resourcefully and thus becoming inspired to
change ones lifestyle as a whole.....etc. 

I haven't got any research to hand, other than a recent Australian
government select committee report (Weighing It Up - Obesity in Australia
May 2009), to back my statements up but there is considerable research
available...


Christopher Eastham BPhEd MAAESS AEP ECI
Executive Wellness Coach, Exercise Physiologist & WHA Assessor
The Open Door Wellness Company & WHA Workforce Health Assessors 
403 Bay St, Port Melbourne, 3207, Vic, Australia
ph 0420 532 522
www.theopendoor.com.au


 =======================

The below may be of interest:
 
<http://humankinetics.wordpress.com/2009/06/09/how-effective-is-after-burn-a
fter-exercise/#more-3893>
http://humankinetics.wordpress.com/2009/06/09/how-effective-is-after-burn-af
ter-exercise/#more-3893

There is a long-held belief that exercise can turn you into a fat-burning
machine. The idea is based on the suggestion that fat burning occurs not
just during exercise but also long after your workout is over. Post-exercise
burn, so the theory goes, is instrumental in losing unwanted weight.

As it turns out, however, like so many headlines touting weight-loss
miracles, this one is probably more myth than fact according to an article
titled `Exercise improves fat metabolism in muscle but does not increase
24-hour fat oxidation' that appeared recently in Exercise and Sport Sciences
Review 

Edward Melanson, an exercise physiologist from the University of Colorado
and lead author of the article said "To our surprise, we have found that
moderate duration exercise has little, if any, effect on 24-hour fat
oxidation (burning)." 

Melanson used an interesting design to challenge the long-held belief that
exercise enhances fat burning. Sixty-five candidates of varying fitness
level and girth (well trained and sedentary, lean and obese) all cycled at
varied intensities until they burned 400 calories, after which they were
monitored for 24 hours - a period that exceeds most other studies by several
hours. All were monitored in closed quarters and were able to eat during the
24-hour period. None posted results that suggested enhanced fat burning
during or after their workouts.

The study has caused quite a stir among fitness experts who now have to
think twice before suggesting that exercise boosts metabolism in the short
or long term.

Before people begin putting their feet up in protest, keep in mind that this
study in no way diminishes the value of regular exercise. Working up a sweat
is still one of the best things people can do for their health. Regardless
of the amount of fat that may or may not be burned post-workout, there's no
denying that a moving body burns more calories per minute than a sedentary
one.

The message about fat burning has always been confusing for the average
exerciser wanting to get rid of a little extra baggage. The often-touted
premise that certain forms of exercise or that working out at a certain
intensity can selectively burn off unwanted fat stores is without scientific
merit.

In fact, the fixation on fat burning is misguided. When it comes to
achieving weight loss goals, any calorie burned is a good one - whether it
be in the form of fat, carbohydrate or protein. As long as we burn more
calories than we consume, the weight will come off.

According to Pascal Imbreault, associate professor at Ottawa University's
School of Human Kinetics, any exercise-related after-burn usually runs its
course within 15 to 35 minutes of completing a workout. While the actual
number of calories expended during this time varies according to exercise
intensity, duration and the body weight of the exerciser, he describes the
resulting calorie burn to be "very minimal."

Imbreault suggests that exercise doesn't do much to crank up metabolism over
the long term either, despite what the headlines in fitness magazines claim.
"Exercise is not that powerful," he said.

By making healthy food choices and cutting portion size to reduce the number
of calories consumed on more days than not, anyone can become a
calorie-burning machine that slowly but steadily loses excess body weight.
===============================