title: Only minor additional metabolic health benefits of high as opposed to moderate dose physical exercise in young, moderately overweight men.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The dose-response effects of exercise training on insulin sensitivity, metabolic risk, and quality of life were examined.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-one healthy, sedentary (VO₂max: 35 ± 5 ml/kg/min), moderately overweight (BMI: 27.9 ± 1.8), young (age: 29 ± 6 years) men were randomized to sedentary living (sedentary control group; n = 18), moderate (moderate dose training group [MOD]: 300 kcal/day, n = 21), or high (high dose training group [HIGH]: 600 kcal/day, n = 22) dose physical exercise for 11 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The return rate for post-intervention testing was 82-94% across groups. Weekly exercise amounted to 2,004 ± 24 and 3,774 ± 68 kcal, respectively, in MOD and HIGH. Cardiorespiratory fitness increased (P < 0.001) 18 ± 3% in MOD and 17 ± 3% in HIGH, and fat percentage decreased (P < 0.001) similarly in both exercise groups (MOD: 32 ± 1 to 29 ± 1%; HIGH: 30 ± 1 to 27 ± 1%). Peripheral insulin sensitivity increased (P < 0.01) (MOD: 28 ± 7%; HIGH: 36 ± 8%) and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance decreased (P < 0.05) (MOD: -17 ± 7%; HIGH: -18 ± 10%). The number of subjects meeting the criteria of the metabolic syndrome decreased by 78% in MOD (P < 0.01) and by 80% in HIGH (P < 0.05). General health assessed by questionnaire increased similarly in MOD (P < 0.05) and HIGH (P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Only minor additional health benefits were found when exercising ∼3,800 as opposed to ∼2,000 kcal/week in young moderately overweight men. This finding may have important public health implications.
authors: Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine and PET, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: M H
authors: MH
authors: Reichkendler
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Rosenkilde
authors: P L
authors: PL
authors: Auerbach
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Agerschou
authors: M B
authors: MB
authors: Nielsen
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Kjaer
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Hoejgaard
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Sjödin
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Ploug
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Stallknecht
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism; D050177:Overweight / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult