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It’s unclear whether increasing stored fat release from the fat cells immediately overlying exercising muscle has any performance advantage, as the fat released doesn’t travel to the muscle directly; rather it empties into the general circulation. It appears that this phenomenon is more an example of metabolic spillover rather than any designed function of the body. It’s the metabolic equivalent of neighboring diners singing “Happy Birthday” to you at the restaurant, even though they don’t know your name nor will they bring you any presents.
The most important point made in this study was voiced at the beginning of the discussion, in which the researchers attempt to place their findings in perspective. Even though this study demonstrated “spot lipolysis,” it’s unlikely that these findings would lead to “spot reduction” of any measurable degree.7 First, it’s likely that any net fat lost from spot lipolysis would be fully replenished unless the athlete is on a hypocaloric diet. Secondly, the amount of extra fat lost from the exercised leg as compared to the resting leg was approximately 1-2 milligrams for every 100 grams of fat. In other words, it made 0.001 percent difference.7 If you can see that difference, you’re looking very, very, very closely and probably making everyone in the locker room nervous. Lastly, the exercise program used to induce this extremely minor difference wasn’t suitable for athletes who were seeking to increase strength or muscle mass.
Summing Up
The Danish researchers, using an elaborate and sophisticated study design, demonstrated fairly conclusively that while a measurable amount of spot lipolysis may occur during prolonged exercise, it’s unlikely to result in any appreciable difference over the course of time. So, unless you feel that your symmetry is suffering because your right quad is only 99.999 percent as ripped as your left quad, there’s little value in using weight training to attempt spot reduction.
For those of you who are trying to lose fat in general, exercise remains one of the keystones to success and may be of greatest benefit in reducing visceral fat (inside the abdomen), which is closely related to cardiovascular disease and Metabolic Syndrome.15 Exercise doesn’t offer the silver bullet of spot reduction, but it offers more recreational, social and health benefits than any other activity. For now, liposculpture appears to be the only practical solution for spot reduction of bothersome spots of fat.
References:
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2. Shakespeare W. Macbeth Act V, Scene 1.
3. Greenway FL, Bray GA, et al. Topical fat reduction. Obes Res, 1995;3 Suppl 4:561S-8S.
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5. Horn G. A new concept in male chest reshaping: anatomical pectoral implants and liposculpture. Aesthetic Plast Surg, 2002;26:23-5.
6. Collis N, Elliot LA, et al. Cellulite treatment: a myth or reality: a prospective, randomized, controlled trial of two therapies, endermologie and aminophylline cream. Plast Reconstr Surg, 1999;104:1110-4.
7. Stallknecht B, Dela F, et al. Are blood flow and lipolysis in subcutaneous adipose tissue influenced by contractions in adjacent muscles in humans? Am J Physiol Endo Metab, 2006;article in press:doi:10.1152/ajpendo.00215.2006.
8. Olson AL, Edelstein E. Spot reduction of subcutaneous adipose tissue. Research Quarterly, 1968;39:647-52.
9. Roby FB. Effect of exercise on regional subcutaneous fat accumulations. Research Quarterly, 1962;33:273-8.
10. Gwinup G, Chelvam R, et al. Thickness of subcutaneous fat and activity of underlying muscles. Ann Intern Med, 1971;74:408-11.
11. Krotkiewski M, Aniansson A, et al. The effect of unilateral isokinetic strength training on local adipose and muscle tissue morphology, thickness, and enzymes. Eur J Appl Physiol, 1979;42:271-81.
12. Karlsson J. Metabolic adaptations to exercise: a review of potential beta-adrenoreceptor antagonist effects. Am J Cardiol, 1985;55:48D-58D.
13. Steensberg A, Keller C, et al. IL-6 and TNF-a expression in, and release from, contracting human skeletal muscle. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, 2002;283:E1272-8.
14. van Hall G, Steensberg A, et al. Interleukin-6 stimulates lipolysis and fat oxidation in humans. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2003;88:3005-10.
15. Kay SJ, Fiatarone Singh MA. The influence of physical activity on abdominal fat: a systematic review of the literature. Obes Res, 2006;7:183-200.
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