Peak Fat Oxidation Rates in Males with Obesity during Treadmill Walking With Body Weight Support
Toni T. LaSala, Genevieve Pinto Zipp, Vincent A. DeBari, Michael A. Figueroa

Abstract
Purpose: To determine if a reduction of body weight (BW) from 100% to 75% while walking on a lower body positive pressure (LBPP) treadmill affects peak oxygen consumption (V̇ O2peak), fat oxidation (FO) and peak fat oxidation (PFO) rates in men with obesity. Methods: Fourteen men with obesity walked on the LBPP treadmill at 100% and 75% of their body weight at 3.3 mph, 3% to 15% grade. FO, PFO, V̇ O2 were measured using indirect calorimetry. Results: V̇ O2peak was significantly higher at 100% compared to 75% BW and fat oxidation rates were significantly lower at 100%. Fat oxidation rates decreased rapidly for the 100% BW group and decreased steadily for 75% BW, and at 75%, PFO plateaued at 47% - 62% of V̇ O2peak. Conclusion: Unweighting on the LBPP treadmill is an optimal exercise modality for this population and meets the recommendations for the American College of Sports Medicine for moderate intensity.

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