Two Tabata cycles in a single training set maximize fat oxidation after exercise in male college students with overweight/obesity

Tabata has been identified to enhance energy expenditure and fat oxidation in humans. The study aims to find an optimal Tabata volume for weight loss. 32 male university students with overweight/obesity participated in three tests. Test I consisted of a single Tabata cycle, Test II consisted of two, and Test III consisted of three. Each cycle was separated by a 10-minute interval, and each test was set as 7 days interval. Gas exchange indices were monitored during the last Tabata cycle of the test and the 30-minute recovery period. Subsequently, fat and glucose oxidation amounts, rates, and energy expenditure were calculated. During the 10-minute recovery period, the fat oxidation amounts of Test II (0.80±0.26 g) and Test III (0.87±0.24 g) were higher than Test I (0.50±0.11 g, p<0.001). There was no significant difference between Test II and Test III. During the 20-minute and 30-minute recovery periods, Test II (3.21±0.50 g; 5.04±1.02 g) showed significantly higher fat oxidation amount than Test I (2.47±0.59 g, p<0.001; 4.41±0.98 g, p<0.05) and Test III (2.80±0.43 g, p<0.001; 4.11±0.96 g, p<0.001), there was no significant difference between Test I and Test III (p>0.05). No significant differences in energy expenditure were observed among the three tests during recovery periods (p>0.05). We conclude that two Tabata cycles show the highest fat oxidation amount with the same energy expenditure amount during the recovery period, which is the optimal Tabata volume for weight loss.