Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of habitual exercise on energy balance and nutritional status in middle-aged Japanese women. Twenty-eight subjects aged 39 to 58 years were assigned to a non-habitual exercise group (Control; n=12) or a habitual exercise group (Exercise; n=16). Total energy expenditure (TEE) was assessed by the doubly labeled water (DLW) method. Total energy intake (TEI) and nutritional status were evaluated based on a 3-day dietary record investigation during the DLW measurement period. TEI was significantly (p<0.01) higher in the Exercise group (2, 292±360kcal·day-1) than in the Control group (1, 887±315kcal·day-1). There was no significant difference between TEI and TEE in both groups. Moreover, a positive correlation was observed between TEI and TEE (r=0.434, p<0.05). These results suggest that an increase in energy expenditure by habitual exercise might be counterbalanced by an increase in dietary energy intake. In addition, whereas the Exercise group had higher dietary nutrient intake than the Control group, no significant difference was seen in dietary nutrient intakes per 1, 000kcal TEI between the two groups. Most of the dietary nutrient intakes were positively correlated with TEI. These results indicate that the increase in TEI accompanied by habitual exercise enhances dietary nutrient intake.
