Effects of eccentric versus concentric cycling exercise on lipid and glucose metabolism in overweight and obese men

Author Identifier (ORCID)

Kazunori Nosaka: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7373-4994

Abstract

Introduction: We compared the effects of concentric cycling and two different intensities of eccentric cycling on lipid and glucose metabolism in overweight and obese individuals. Methods: Fourteen overweight and obese men (31 ± 6 y; BMI: 34 ± 5, body fat: 38 ± 7%) completed a single bout of concentric cycling (CONC) at 60% of concentric peak power output (CONCPPO) and two bouts of eccentric cycling at 60% (ECC1) and 120% (ECC2) of CONCPPO. Substrate oxidation was assessed during 45 min of exercise (nine 5-min exercise bouts interspersed with a 3-min rest between bouts) and for 30 min post-exercise. Changes in triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), blood glucose, and insulin in the blood from pre- to post-exercise were examined. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed before and after each exercise. Results: Total energy expenditure was lower (p < 0.001) in ECC1 (136 ± 21 kcal) and ECC2 (247 ± 60 kcal) than CONC (397 ± 47 kcal). Fat oxidation was greater (p < 0.05) in ECC2 than in CONC and ECC1, while carbohydrate oxidation was the highest in CONC, followed by ECC2 and ECC1. The blood biomarkers, including lipid profiles, blood glucose, insulin, and OGTT, were not different between the cycling modes (p > 0.05). Conclusion: These findings indicated that eccentric cycling elicits a more favourable fat utilization response than concentric cycling, particularly at a higher intensity, suggesting its potential as an effective exercise modality for enhancing lipid metabolism among overweight and obese individuals.

Keywords

Blood glucose, cholesterol, eccentric exercise, insulin, substrate oxidation, triglyceride

Document Type

Journal Article

Date of Publication

1-1-2026

Publication Title

European Journal of Applied Physiology

Publisher

Springer

School

School of Medical and Health Sciences

Funders

Fundamental Research Grant, Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia

Comments

Ariffin, N. H. C. M., Farah, N. M. F., Yusof, H. A., Aziz, A. R., Nosaka, K., & Muhamed, A. M. C. (2026). Effects of eccentric versus concentric cycling exercise on lipid and glucose metabolism in overweight and obese men. European Journal of Applied Physiology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-026-06178-w

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Link to publisher version (DOI)

10.1007/s00421-026-06178-w