A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Association and Differences between Aerobic Threshold and Point of Optimal Fat Oxidation

Ratko Peric, Zoran Nikolovski, Marco Meucci, Philippe Tadger, Carlo Ferri Marini and Francisco José Amaro-Gahete
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Ratko Peric: Department for Exercise Physiology, Orthopedic Clinic Orthosport, 78000 Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Zoran Nikolovski: Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia
Marco Meucci: Department of Health and Exercise Science, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC 28608, USA
Philippe Tadger: Real World Evidence, IQVIA, 3600 Genk, Belgium
Carlo Ferri Marini: Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Division of Exercise and Health Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, Italy
Francisco José Amaro-Gahete: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, 18001 Granada, Spain

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 11, 1-19

Abstract: Over the past two decades, scientists have attempted to evaluate whether the point of maximal fat oxidation (FAT max ) and the aerobic threshold (AerT) are connected. The existence of such a relationship would allow a more tailored training approach for athletes while improving the efficacy of individualized exercise prescriptions when treating numerous health-related issues. However, studies have reported conflicting results, and this issue remains unresolved. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed: (i) to examine the strength of the association between FAT max and AerT by using the effect size (ES) of correlation coefficient (r) and standardized mean difference (SMD); (ii) to identify potential moderators and their influence on ES variability. This study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021239351) and ClinicalTrials (NCT03789045). PubMed and Google Scholar were searched and fourteen articles, consisting of overall 35 ES for r and 26 ES for SMD were included. Obtained ESs were analyzed using a multilevel random-effects meta-analysis. Our results support the presence of a significant association between FAT max and AerT exercise intensities. In conclusion, due to the large ES variance caused by clinical and methodological differences among the studies, we recommend that future studies follow strict standardization of data collection and analysis of FAT max and AerT-related outcomes.

Keywords: AerT; exercise; FAT max; multilevel (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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