title: The effect of a 5-month endurance-training programme on physical activity: evidence for a sex-difference in the metabolic response to exercise.
abstract: The effect of a 5-month endurance training programme on physical activity and average daily metabolic rate (ADMR) was studied. Subjects were 16 males and 16 females preparing for a half marathon. Total physical activity, measured using an accelerometer, had increased by 62% and 63% after 20 weeks in males and females, respectively. Physical activity during the non-exercise part of the day did not change although in males it tended to increase (15%, NS). The ADMR had increased significantly in males after 8 and 20 weeks (+2.3 and +3.3 MJ.day-1, respectively, P less than 0.05) and exceeded the net energy expenditure for endurance-training three to four times. In females no significant increase in ADMR was found (+1.5 and +1.3 MJ.day-1, after 8 and 20 weeks, respectively). In females the change in ADMR could be largely attributed to the net cost of running itself and a small increase (10%) in resting metabolic rate during the time of day they were awake. In males a discrepancy was observed between the increase of ADMR and the expenditure due to exercise and non-exercise activities. We suggest exercise stimulates habitual physical activity and diet-induced thermogenesis in males but not in females.
authors.affiliation: University of Limburg, Department of Human Biology, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Meijer
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Janssen
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Westerterp
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Verhoeven
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Saris
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: ten Hoor
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013997:Time Factors