Energy intake post-exercise is associated with enjoyment independently of exercise intensity

Post-exercise energy intake: do the intensity and mode of exercise matter? A systematic review and meta-analysis comparing high-intensity interval with moderate-intensity continuous protocols

The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the impact of exercise intensity and mode (high-intensity interval exercise-HIIE or sprint interval exercise-SIE versus moderate-intensity continuous exercise-MICE) on post-exercise ad libitum energy intake. The studies were required to have at least two exercise conditions (HIIE or SIE vs MICE). Overall, 642 manuscripts were initially identified and 17 met the eligibility criteria. The random effect meta-analysis did not reveal differences for absolute energy intake (28 pairwise comparisons) between HIIE (p = 0.54; 95% Confidence Interval - CI: -0.14 to 0.26; 22 pairwise comparisons) or SIE (p = 0.08; 95% CI -0.65 to 0.03; 6 pairwise comparisons) versus MICE, neither for relative energy intake (p = 0.97; 95% CI: -0.35 to 0.10 for HIIE; p = 0.28; 95% CI: -1.03 to 0.06 for SIE) with five and one pairwise comparisons, respectively. Subgroup analyses for methods to evaluate ad libitum energy intake, body mass, sex, volume, and timing of exercise were non-significant. Inspecting each study, two pairwise comparisons reported lower post-exercise absolute energy intake in HIIE compared to control (CRTL), and three pairwise comparisons reported lower absolute energy intake after SIE compared to MICE. None pairwise comparison reported differences between protocols (HIIE or SIE versus MICE) for relative energy intake. In conclusion, the meta-analysis did not show differences between protocols for absolute and relative energy intake; five pairwise comparisons from 28 demonstrated lower absolute energy intake in HIIE or SIE compared to CRTL or MICE. Further studies are needed to address the key relevant variables in which exercise intensity and mode may impact energy intake.

Exercise-related factors that influence post-exercise energy intake: A psychological perspective

OBJECTIVES

Exercise confers numerous health benefits; however, unhealthy, or excessive food and drink consumption post-exercise may counteract at least some of these benefits. There is emerging evidence that certain exercise-related factors, including the psychological experiences associated with different forms of exercise motivation, may influence post-exercise energy intake. Questions remain, though, about the optimal exercise characteristics that may reduce overconsumption of food/drink post-exercise.

DESIGN

Narrative review.

METHODS

In this narrative review, we overview the developing body of literature linking the psychological experiences in exercise with subsequent energy intake, focusing first on the relationship between exercise motivation and food consumption, and then on practical strategies which may be utilised to promote healthier post-exercise food choices.

RESULTS

Preliminary evidence suggests that psychological experiences associated with high-quality autonomous motivation for exercise may reduce subsequent energy intake. Exercise factors (both psychological and physiological in nature) that have been shown to influence post-exercise energy consumption may interact, resulting in synergistic or antagonistic effects on subsequent food and drink consumption, through mechanisms which have not been considered previously.

CONCLUSIONS

Exercise experiences may be shaped to promote healthier subsequent eating behaviours and future work is encouraged to enable researchers to identify combinations of exercise conditions and experiences that have the strongest influence on post-exercise food and drink consumption.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of affective responses to acute high intensity interval exercise compared with continuous moderate- and high-Intensity exercise

There is evidence for the physical health benefits of high intensity interval exercise (HIIE), but its public health potential has been challenged. It is purported that compared with moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE) the high intensity nature of HIIE may lead to negative affective responses. This systematic review (PROSPERO CRD42017058203) addressed this proposition and synthesised research that compares affective responses to HIIE with MICE and vigorous intensity continuous exercise (VICE), during-, end-, and post-exercise. Searches were conducted on five databases, and findings from 33 studies were meta-analysed using random effects models or narratively synthesised. A meta-analysis of affect showed a significant effect in favour of MICE vs HIIE at the lowest point, during and post-exercise, but not at end, and the narrative synthesis supported this for other affective outcomes. Differences on affect between VICE vs HIIE were limited. Pooled data showed arousal levels were consistently higher during HIIE. For enjoyment there was a significant effect in favour of HIIE vs MICE, no difference for HIIE vs VICE at post-exercise, and mixed findings for during-exercise. Although the findings are clouded by methodological issues they indicate that compared to MICE, HIIE is experienced less positively but post-exercise is reported to be more enjoyable.