Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Original Communication
  • Published:

The effect of graded levels of exercise on energy intake and balance in free-living men, consuming their normal diet

Abstract

Objective: To assess the effect of graded increases in exercised-induced energy expenditure (EE) on appetite, energy intake (EI), total daily EE and body weight in men living in their normal environment and consuming their usual diets.

Design: Within-subject, repeated measures design. Six men (mean (s.d.) age 31.0 (5.0) y; weight 75.1 (15.96) kg; height 1.79 (0.10) m; body mass index (BMI) 23.3(2.4) kg/m2), were each studied three times during a 9 day protocol, corresponding to prescriptions of no exercise, (control) (Nex; 0 MJ/day), medium exercise level (Mex; 1.6 MJ/day) and high exercise level (Hex; 3.2 MJ/day). On days 1–2 subjects were given a medium fat (MF) maintenance diet (1.6 × resting metabolic rate (RMR)).

Measurements: On days 3–9 subjects self-recorded dietary intake using a food diary and self-weighed intake. EE was assessed by continual heart rate monitoring, using the modified FLEX method. Subjects' HR (heart rate) was individually calibrated against submaximal VO2 during incremental exercise tests at the beginning and end of each 9 day study period. Respiratory exchange was measured by indirect calorimetry. Subjects completed hourly hunger ratings during waking hours to record subjective sensations of hunger and appetite. Body weight was measured daily.

Results: EE amounted to 11.7, 12.9 and 16.8 MJ/day (F(2,10)=48.26; P<0.001 (s.e.d=0.55)) on the Nex, Mex and Hex treatments, respectively. The corresponding values for EI were 11.6, 11.8 and 11.8 MJ/day (F(2,10)=0.10; P=0.910 (s.e.d.=0.10)), respectively. There were no treatment effects on hunger, appetite or body weight, but there was evidence of weight loss on the Hex treatment.

Conclusion: Increasing EE did not lead to compensation of EI over 7 days. However, total daily EE tended to decrease over time on the two exercise treatments. Lean men appear able to tolerate a considerable negative energy balance, induced by exercise, over 7 days without invoking compensatory increases in EI.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Rent or buy this article

Prices vary by article type

from$1.95

to$39.95

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • The Allied Dunbar National Fitness Survey . 1992 Commissioned by the Health Education Authority and Sports Council

  • Astrup A . 1998 The American paradox: the role of energy dense fat reduced food in the increasing prevalence of obesity Curr. Opin. Clin. Nutr. Metab. Care 1: 573–577

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Barr SI, Costill DL . 1992 The effect of increasing training volume on nutrient intake of male collegiate swimmers Int. J. Sports Med. 13: 47–51

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bingham SA, Cummings JH, Murgatroyd PR . 1985 PETRA: a new device for weighed dietary intakes 13th International Congress on Nutrition 126 (Abstract)

  • Blaak EE, Westerterp KR, Bar-Or O, Wouters LJ, Saris WH . 1992 Total energy expenditure and spontaneous activity in relation to training in obese boys Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 55: 777–782

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Blundell JE, King NA . 1999 Physical activity and regulation of food intake: current evidence Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 31: S573–583

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bovens AM, Van Baak MA, Vrencken JG, Wijnen JA, Saris WH, Verstappen FT . 1993 Physical activity, fitness, and selected risk factors for CHD in active men and women Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 25: 572–576

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Caspersen CJ, Merritt RK . 1995 Physical activity trends among 26 states, 1986–1990 Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 27: 713–720

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ceesay SM, Prentice AM, Day KC, Murgatroyd PR, Goldberg GR, Scott W, Spurr GB . 1989 The use of heart rate monitoring in the estimation of energy expenditure: a validation study using indirect whole-body calorimetry Br. J. Nutr. 61: 175–186

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Department of Health . 1995 More people, more active, more often. Physical activity in England. Report from the Physical activity Task Forces London: Department of Health

  • Elia M, Livesey G . 1992 Energy expenditure and fuel selection in biological systems Wld Rev. Nutr. Diet. 70: 68–131

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Flemming M, Sepp A, Johnstone AM, Hughes DA, Reid CA, King N, Blundell J, Stubbs RJ . 2001 Effect of graded levels of exercise on body weight, appetite and food intake in normal-weight women consuming their normal diet in their natural environment Proc. Nutr. Soc. Meeting (in press).

  • Garrow JS, Summerbell C . 1995 Meta-analysis: effect of exercise, with or without dieting, on the body composition of overweight subjects Eur. J. Clin. Nutr. 49: 1–10

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goldberg GR, Prentice AM, Davies HL, Murgatroyd PR . 1988 Overnight and basal metabolic rates in men and women Eur. J. Clin. Nutr. 42: 137–144

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goldberg GR, Black AE, Jebb SA, Cole TJ, Coward WA, Prentice AM, Murgatroyd PR . 1991 Critical evaluation of energy intake data using fundamental principles of energy physiology: 1. Derivation of cut off limits to identify under recording Eur. J. Clin. Nutr. 45: 569–581

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Heini AF, Weinsier RL . 1997 Divergent trends in obesity and fat intake patterns: the American paradox Am. J. Med. 102: 259–264

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hill AJ, Blundell JE . 1982 Nutrients and behaviour: research strategies for the investigation of taste characteristics food preferences, hunger sensations and eating patterns in man J. Psychol. Res. 17: 203–212

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Imbeault P, Saint-Pierre S, Almeras N, Tremblay A . 1997 Acute effects of exercise on energy intake and feeding behaviour Br. J. Nutr. 77: 511–521

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jebb SA, Moore MS . 1999 Contribution of a sedentary lifestyle and inactivity to the etiology of overweight and obesity: current evidence and research issues Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 31: S534–541

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Johnstone AM, Stubbs RJ, Harbron CG . 1996 Effect of overfeeding macronutrients on day-to-day food intake in man Eur. J. Clin. Nutr. 50: 418–430

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • King NA, Snell L, Smith RD, Blundell JE . 1996 Effects of short-term exercise on appetite responses in unrestrained females Eur. J. Clin. Nutr. 50: 663–667

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • King NA, Tremblay A, Blundell JE . 1997a Effects of exercise on appetite control: implications for energy balance Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 29: 1076–1089

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • King NA, Lluch A, Stubbs RJ, Blundell JE . 1997b High dose exercise does not increase hunger or energy intake in free living males Eur. J. Clin. Nutr. 51: 478–483

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Larue-Achagiotis C, Martin C, Verger P, Chabert M, Louis-Sylvestre JL . 1993 Effects of acute treadmill exercise and delayed access to food on food selection in rats Physiol. Behav. 53: 403–408

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lissner L, Heitmann BL . 1995 Dietary fat and obesity: evidence from epidemiology Eur. J. Clin. Nutr. 49: 79–90

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McCance RA, Widdowson EM . 1991 The Composition of Foods, 5th edn, ed. B Holand, AA Welch, ID Unwin, DH Buss, AA Paul & DAT Southgate London: HMSO

  • McGowan CR, Epstein LH, Kupfer DJ, Bulik CM . 1986 The effects of exercise on non-restricted caloric intake in male joggers Appetite 7: 97–105

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Meijer GA, Westerterp KR, Seyts GH, Janssen GM, Saris WH, ten Hoor F . 1991 Body composition and sleeping metabolic rate in response to a 5-month endurance-training programme in adults Eur. J. Appl. Physiol. 62: 18–21

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Miller GD, Dimond AG, Stern JS . 1994 Exercise reduces fat selection in female Sprague–Dawley rats Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 26: 1466–1472

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Moore MS, Murgatroyd PR, Goldberg GR, Jebb SE . 2000 Restoration of energy balance following a diet- or exercise-induced energy deficit Proc. Nutr. Soc. 59: 124A

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murgatroyd PR, Shetty PS, Prentice AM . 1993 Techniques for the measurement of human energy expenditure: a practical guide Int. J. Obes. Relat. Metab. Disord. 17: 549–568

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Prentice AM, Jebb SA . 1995 Obesity in Britain: gluttony or sloth? Br. Med. J. 311: 437–439

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rivest S, Richard D . 1990 Involvement of corticotropin-releasing factor in the anorexia induced by exercise Brain Res. Bull. 25: 169–172

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schoeller DA, Shay K, Kushner RF . 1997 How much physical activity is needed to minimize weight gain in previously obese women? Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 66: 551–556

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shephard RJ . 1984 Tests of maximum oxygen intake, a critical review Sports Med. 1: 99–124

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shephard RJ, Lavallee H . 1978 Physical Fitness Assessment—Principles, Practice and Applications. Springfield, IL: CC Thomas

  • Shephard RJ, Allen C, Benade AJS, Davies CTM, di Prampero PE, Hedman R, Merriman JE, Myhre K, Simmons R . 1968 Standardization of submaximal exercise tests Bull. WHO 38: 765–776

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Spurr GB, Prentice AM, Murgatroyd PR, Goldberg GR, Reina JC, Christman NT . 1988 Energy expenditure from minute-by-minute heart-rate recording: comparison with indirect calorimetry Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 48: 552–559

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stratton RJ, Stubbs RJ, Hughes D, King N, Blundell JE, Elia M . 1998 Comparison of the traditional paper visual analogue scale questionnaire with an Apple Newton electronic appetite rating system (EARS) in free living subjects feeding ad libitum Eur. J. Clin. Nutr. 52: 737–741

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stunkard AJ, Messick S . 1985 The three-factor eating questionnaire to measure dietary restraint, disinhibition and hunger J. Psychol. Res. 29: 71–83

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thompson DA, Wolfe LA, Eikelboom R . 1988 Acute effects of exercise intensity on appetite in young men Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 20: 222–227

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tremblay A, Despres JP, Bouchard C . 1985 The effects of exercise-training on energy balance and adipose tissue morphology and metabolism Sports Med. 2: 223–233

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Van Baak MA . 1999 Physical activity and energy balance Public Health Nutr. 2: 335–339

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Etten LM, Westerterp KR, Verstappen FT, Boon BJ, Saris WH . 1997 Effect of an 18- wk weight-training program on energy expenditure and physical activity J. Appl. Physiol. 82: 298–304

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Strein TV, Frijters JER, Bergers GPA, Defares PB . 1986 The Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (DEBQ) for assessment of restraint, emotional and external eating behaviour Int. J. Eat. Disord. 5: 295–315

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wareham NJ, Hennings SJ, Prentice AM, Day NE . 1997 Feasibility of heart-rate monitoring to estimate total level and pattern of energy expenditure in a population based epidemiological study: the Ely young cohort feasibility study 1994–5 Br. J. Nutr. 78: 889–900

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Westerterp KR . 1998 Alterations in energy balance with exercise Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 68: 970S–974S

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Woo R, Garrow J, Pi-Sunyer F . 1982 Effect of exercise on spontaneous calorie intake in obesity Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 36: 470–477

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Woo R, Pi-Sunyer F . 1985 Effect of increased physical activity on voluntary intake in lean women Metabolism 34: 836–841

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to RJ Stubbs.

Additional information

Part of this work was presented as an abstract at the Nutrition Society winter meeting, London, 1999.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Stubbs, R., Sepp, A., Hughes, D. et al. The effect of graded levels of exercise on energy intake and balance in free-living men, consuming their normal diet. Eur J Clin Nutr 56, 129–140 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601295

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601295

Keywords

This article is cited by

Search

Quick links