Evaluating the influence of differences in methodological approach on metabolic thresholds and fat oxidation points relationship.

In this study, we aimed to determine the exercise intensities eliciting the highest (FAT) and the lowest (FAT) fat oxidation rate in male cyclists and to compare these intensities with their individual aerobic (AeT) and anaerobic (AnT) thresholds, respectively. Twenty-two moderately trained male cyclists performed a 2-min stage graded exercise test until exhaustion using breath-by-breath gas analysis to determine maximal oxygen consumption (VO). The fat oxidation rate was calculated using a stoichiometric equation, with metabolic thresholds being determined by ventilatory gas analysis. In the present group of subjects, FAT was found at a 21.34 ± 3.64 ml·kg·min corresponding to 45.05 ± 7.68% VO. AeT occurred at an exercise intensity of 22.15 ± 4.84 ml·kg·min, matching 46.76 ± 10.24% VO. AnT and FAT were located at intensities equivalent to 32.56 ± 5.52 ml·kg·min and 32.30 ± 5.35 ml·kg·min which corresponded to 68.74 ± 11.65 and 68.19 ± 11.29% VO, respectively. The correlation between FAT and AeT was strong ( = 0.80,  < 0.05). No statistical difference was observed between FAT and AnT ( = 0.99,  < 0.05). The strong relationship between observed indices can be used to provide a more tailored exercise approach.