ABSTRACT
The oxidation of glucose and fatty acids provides almost all energy requirements at rest and during sub-maximal exercise. Although the rate of energy supply (adenosine triphosphate [ATP] resynthesis) from fat oxidation is insufficient to meet the high energetic demands of short duration sprinttype activities, fatty acids from stored triglycerides are available in essentially unlimited supply. The ability to rely on fatty acid oxidation and spare the relatively limited body glucose reserves is viewed as important for the optimisation of endurance exercise performance. Indeed, the adaptive response to endurance training is characterised by an enhanced capacity for oxidative metabolism including fat oxidation.
