Elvin wrote:I haven't been able to find anything scientific on under what conditions (and said 'conditions' could depend on proximate food consumption, amount of exercise, or any controllable factors) exercise will burn fat as opposed to under what conditions exercise will burn muscle; and what can be done in a weight-losing regime to have more of the fat-burning and less of the muscle-burning.
I assume that strength-exercises build muscle, but am not even that clear about how, physiologically, this happens.
Hi Elvin,
Our bodies burn a mix of fuel, more or less of one or the other depending on the intensity of the exercise. Hard fast exercise utilizes a higher percentage of glucose in the mix, while at lower intensities the body is able to work aerobically - with oxygen - which can bring more fat for fuel into the mix. But if you are just looking to get leaner, it doesn't matter because what's important is overall energy usage to create an energy deficit.
Remember, it's really the food that's the biggest player in your bodyfat stores. Exercise then compliments the primary driver by creating a better metabolic profile, retains muscle mass, and just plain makes you feel better.
In low fuel situations, muscle can break down. Here's an article you might find interesting:
http://www.unm.edu/~lkravitz/Article%20 ... facts.htmlExercising the muscle through resistance training protects muscle mass.
Lani