Abstract
Single bouts of acute exercise do not appear to increase subsequent energy intake (EI), even when energy deficit is large. However, studies have shown a compensatory effect on EI following chronic exercise, and it remains unclear whether this is affected by exercise intensity. We investigated the chronic effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and sprint interval training (SIT) on EI when compared with moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) or no exercise (CON). Databases were searched until 13 March 2017 for studies measuring EI in response to chronic exercise (≥4 weeks of duration) of a high-intensity interval nature. Meta-analysis was conducted for between-group comparisons on EI (kilojoules) and bodyweight (kg). Results showed large heterogeneity, and therefore, metaregression analyses were conducted. There were no significant differences in EI between HIIT/SIT versus MICT (P=0.282), HIIT/SIT versus CON (P=0.398), or MICT versus CON (P=0.329). Although bodyweight was significantly reduced after HIIT/SIT versus CON but not HIIT/SIT versus MICT (in studies measuring EI), this was not clinically meaningful (<2% mean difference). In conclusion, there is no compensatory increase in EI following a period of HIIT/SIT compared to MICT or no exercise. However, this review highlights important methodological considerations for future studies.
Highlights
Obesity is a a global epidemic with the prevalence of overweight and obesity estimated as 39% of the world’s population [1]
When data from studies were pooled, there were no significant differences in change in energy intake with high-intensity interval training (HIIT)/sprint interval training (SIT) or moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT), and the metaregression found no impact of other variables on these outcomes
Our secondary analysis found a significant reduction in bodyweight with HIIT/SIT compared to CON; there is no significant difference in bodyweight for HIIT/SIT compared to MICT, or MICT compared to CON
Summary
Obesity is a a global epidemic with the prevalence of overweight and obesity estimated as 39% of the world’s population [1]. Increasing energy expenditure through exercise to manage obesity is a logical approach. E modest effect of exercise interventions on weight loss is likely a result of individual variability in response to intervention [3]. Proposed mechanisms for less than expected weight loss in some individuals may be explained by reduced exercise adherence [4], decreased spontaneous physical activity [2], overestimation of weight loss from predictive equations [6], and automatic metabolic adaptations that lower the energy expenditure [2]. Dietary compensation factors that could increase caloric intake and result in less than expected weight loss with exercise include biological changes driving appetite [7], changes in food preferences and food reward [8], and other psychological dietary behaviours (e.g., restraint and disinhibition) [9, 10]
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