Abstract
Studies have assessed the ability of exercise interventions to create a stronger coupling between energy intake (EI) and energy expenditure (EE). The present study compared the effects of 4-week exercise and diet intervention programs. Three males and nine females (mean age 35 ± 9yr, mean height (cm) 170.42 ± 9.68, mean weight (kg) 72.77 ± 13.23, mean BMI 25.0 ± 3.8 kg/m2) participated in either the exercise (n=7) or diet (n=5) intervention. The exercise and diet interventions comprised of a 500 kcal/d increase in EE for 5 days/wk and a 500 kcal/d energy restriction respectively, for 5 days/wk for 4 weeks. Energy compensation response to the two interventions was assessed by comparing ad libitum energy intake responses to high-energy (HE) (556 kcal) and low-energy (LE) (239 kcal) pre-load breakfasts administered at baseline and at the end of the interventions. Visual analogue scales (VAS) were used to assess subjective appetite sensations. No significant improvement in compensation sensitivity was observed in the exercise group. However, there was a trend towards a decrease in test meal intake after the HE pre-load at week 4. The diet group did not change intake in response to the varied energy content of the preloads. However, a lack of compensation resulted at week 4 with the HE preload. This study did not statistically support previous findings of the effect exercise and diet interventions have on appetite and compensatory responses; exercise improves appetite control by coupling EI and EE and dieting leads to a dis-regulation of appetite control.
