What happens to your body's fat-burning hormones when you exercise high up?
Effect of acute hypoxia on the hormonal response to exercise.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Insulin dropped by exactly 50% during hypoxic exercise — far more than the small decrease seen in normoxia.
Most assume insulin drops modestly during exercise regardless of oxygen levels; this shows hypoxia massively amplifies the effect.
Practical Takeaways
Consider training at higher elevations if you want to trigger a stronger fat-burning hormonal response during submaximal workouts.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Insulin dropped by exactly 50% during hypoxic exercise — far more than the small decrease seen in normoxia.
Most assume insulin drops modestly during exercise regardless of oxygen levels; this shows hypoxia massively amplifies the effect.
Practical Takeaways
Consider training at higher elevations if you want to trigger a stronger fat-burning hormonal response during submaximal workouts.
Publication
Journal
Journal of applied physiology: respiratory, environmental and exercise physiology
Year
1977
Authors
J. Sutton
Related Content
Claims (3)
When fit young men exercise at a high altitude (like on a mountain), their bodies release more sugar, fat, and stress hormones into the blood than when they exercise at sea level—this means their body switches how it uses energy when there’s less oxygen around.
When fit young men exercise at a high altitude (like on a mountain), their body drops insulin levels way more than when they exercise at sea level—and once they stop exercising, insulin shoots back up quickly.
When healthy young men exercise hard at high altitudes (where there's less oxygen), their bodies release certain hormones that help break down fat and make more sugar for energy.