This study aimed to establish whether vigorous-intensity exercise offers additional adipose-related health benefits and metabolic improvements compared to energy-matched moderate-intensity exercise. Thirty-eight sedentary overweight men (n = 24) and postmenopausal women (n = 14) aged 52 +/- 5 years (mean +/- standard deviations (SD)) were prescribed a 3-week energy deficit (29,302 kJ/week) achieved by increased isocaloric moderate or vigorous-intensity exercise (+8,372 kJ/week) and simultaneous restricted energy intake (-20,930 kJ/week). Participants were randomly assigned to either an energy-matched vigorous (VIG; n = 18) or moderate (MOD; n = 20) intensity exercise group (five times per week at 70% or 50% maximal oxygen uptake, respectively). At baseline and follow-up, fasted blood samples and abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue biopsies were obtained and oral glucose tolerance tests conducted. Body mass was reduced similarly in both groups (2.4 +/- 1.1 kg and 2.4 +/- 1.4 kg, respectively, p < 0.05). Insulinemic responses to a standard glucose load decreased similarly at follow-up relative to baseline in VIG (8.6 +/- 15.4 nmol/120min/l) and MOD (5.4 +/- 8.5 nmol/120 min/l; p < 0.05). Expression of SREBP-1c and FAS in adipose tissue was significantly down-regulated, whereas expression of PDK4 and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) was significantly up-regulated in both groups (p < 0.05). Thus, when energy expenditure and energy deficit are matched, vigorous or moderate-intensity exercise combined with energy restriction provide broadly similar (positive) changes in metabolic control and adipose tissue gene expression.

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