Resistance and aerobic exercises do not affect post-exercise energy compensation in normal weight men and women

Abstract

BackgroundPrevious research has reported no effect of exercise modality (aerobic vs. resistance) on energy intake (EI). However, the relatively low energy cost of resistance training, the absence of total energy expenditure (TEE) measurements and the short duration of these studies justify further investigation. ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of exercise modality on EI, TEE, non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) and post-exercise energy compensation (PEEC) measured acutely, as well as for 10 and 34h following exercise. DesignEight men and 8 women participated in three randomized crossover sessions: aerobic-based exercise, resistance-based exercise, and sedentary control. Exercise energy expenditure (ExEE) was continuously measured (indirect calorimetry) throughout the exercise sessions, which were designed to produce an isocaloric ExEE of 4kcal/kg body weight. TEE and EI were monitored for 34h post-exercise with biaxial accelerometers and a validated food menu, respectively. ResultsThere were no differences in EI between exercise modalities acutely, as well as 10 and 34h following exercise. However, a modality by sex interaction was noted for acute EI. Men ate more after the resistance than after the aerobic session (1567±469; 1255±409kcal, respectively; P=0.034), while no differences were seen in women (568±237; 648±270kcal, respectively; P=NS). No differences in TEE, NEAT and PEEC were found 10h and 34h post-exercise, while a positive correlation (r=0.897; P<0.01) was found between both modalities across participants for PEEC. ConclusionExercise modality does not impact PEEC when ExEE is controlled. Our results also show that within-individual PEEC seems to be relatively constant across exercise modality.