The effects of walking on the Alter-G(RTM) treadmill on fat oxidation in overweight/obese males

THE EFFECTS OF WALKING ON THE ALTERG TREADMILL ON FAT OXIDATION IN OVERWEIGHT/OBESE MALES Toni LaSala Seton Hall University, 2014 Dr. Genevieve Pinto Zipp, Chair Purpose: To determine if a reduction of body weight from 100% to 75% while walking on a lower body positive pressure treadmill (LBPP) affects peak oxygen consumption ( 2peak), fat oxidation (FO), peak fat oxidation (PFO), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), heart rate (HR) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) in overweight and or obese men. Methods: Fourteen, overweight and obese men (mean age 23.2 ± 2.4 years, BMI 36.5 ± 3.8 kg/m and Body Fat % 38.6 ± 7.0%) were randomly assigned to walking on the LBPP treadmill at 100% and 75% of their body weight. The protocol consisted 3-minute stages at a constant speed of 3.3 mph for the duration of the test. Percent grade increased three minutes following the warm up from 3% to a maximum of 15%. FO, PFO, and O2 were measured using indirect calorimetry. Fat oxidation rates were calculated using stoichiometric equations. Results: Significant differences in 2peak, fat o idation rates H and (p <.05) were identified using a paired samples t-test, between the treadmill conditions (100% BW and 75% BW).