Improved walking energy efficiency might persist in presence of simulated full weight regain after multidisciplinary weight loss in adolescents with obesity: the POWELL study

Aim Weight loss leads to a reduction of the energy cost of walking but the respective implications of the metabolic and mechanic changes remain unknown. The present study compares the post-weight loss energy cost of walking (Cw) with and without a total reload of the induced weight reduction in adolescents with obesity. Methods Energy cost of walking and substrate use were evaluated during a graded walking exercise (4×6-min at 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5 m.s −1 ) before (V1) and after a 12-week intervention in 21 adolescents with obesity (11 girls; 13.8 ± 1.4 y). After weight loss, the walking exercise was randomly repeated once without weight reload (V2) and once with a loading corresponding to the total induced weight loss during the program (V2L). Body composition was assessed before and after the intervention. Results Body weight and fat mass decreased in response to the 12-week intervention ( p