title: Acute exercise and subsequent energy intake. A meta-analysis.
abstract: The precise magnitude of the effect of acute exercise on subsequent energy intake is not well understood. Identifying how large a deficit exercise can produce in energy intake and whether this is compensated for, is important in design of long-term exercise programs for weight loss and weight maintenance. Thus, this paper sought to review and perform a meta-analysis on data from the existing literature. Twenty-nine studies, consisting of 51 trials, were identified for inclusion. Exercise duration ranged from 30 to 120min at intensities of 36-81% VO(2)max, with trials ranging from 2 to 14h, and ad libitum test meals offered 0-2h post-exercise. The outcome variables included absolute energy intake and relative energy intake. A random effects model was employed for analysis due to expected heterogeneity. Results indicated that exercise has a trivial effect on absolute energy intake (n=51; ES=0.14, 95% CI: -0.005 to 0.29) and a large effect on relative energy intake (creating an energy deficit, n=25; ES=-1.35, 95% CI: -1.64 to -1.05). Despite variability among studies, results suggest that exercise is effective for producing a short-term energy deficit and that individuals tend not to compensate for the energy expended during exercise in the immediate hours after exercise by altering food intake.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Southport, Queensland 4222, Australia. m.schubert@griffith.edu.au
authors.forename: Matthew M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Schubert
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Desbrow
authors.forename: Surendran
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sabapathy
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leveritt
mesh_terms: D016208:Databases, Factual; D002149:Energy Intake; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D015431:Weight Loss