Adipose tissue blood flow during prolonged, heavy exercise

Subcutaneous adipose tissue blood flow (ATBF) was examined in 8 subjects during 6 h exercise on a bicycle ergometer. The initial work load was 118 W corresponding to about 50% of maximal work capacity. The oxygen uptake increased from 0.261 - min-1 at rest to about 1.61-min-1 during work. In 7 subjects ATBF increased, in 1 it remained constant. After 3 h exercise ATBF at an average reached values 3--4 times the control value. This increase was maintained for the remaining work periods. The increase was significant at the 5% level. Plasma free fatty acids increased 7-, plasma glycerol 10-fold during work.