Optimising the exercise experience to facilitate healthy food choices: the role of exercise format and exercise instructors' communication style

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Metabolic-related disease; Diet and Nutrition - Obesity; Physical inactivity

• Registration Number: ACTRN12618001765213
• Lead Sponsor: Dr Kym Guelfi

Brief Summary

It is well-established that exercise is associated with a variety of physical and psychological benefits; however, certain post-exercise behaviours, such as consuming excess or unhealthy foods in the aftermath of an exercise session, may counteract some of these benefits. The effect of exercise on food consumption appears to be influenced by both exercise format (e.g., overall intensity and structure of exercise) as well as psychological experiences during exercise. As such, the aim of this research was to examine which exercise conditions, both in terms of the format and psychological experiences of exercise, have the strongest influence on post-exercise appetite and food intake. Forty physically inactive men and women (BMI 24.6 ± 4.8 kg·m-2) were randomised to either a need-support or no-support condition, with each participant completing two experimental trials involving 30 min of moderate-intensity continuous cycling (MICT) and sprint interval cycling (SIT). Post-exercise food consumption was assessed using a laboratory test meal comprising of foods from 'healthy' and 'unhealthy' sources. Participants provided with psychological need-support consumed less energy from foods following SIT (1895 ± 1040 kJ) than MICT (2475 ± 1192 kJ), despite similar ratings of appetite. Findings from this work highlight the need to reconsider traditional exercise guidelines where dietary intake is a concern.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Results First Posted: 1900-01-01
• Study Start: 2018-10-26
• Study Completion: 2019-07-18
• Last Update Posted: 3 March 2020

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 40

Inclusion Criteria

Participants will be eligible for participation if they are aged between 18 and 40 years and physically inactive, defined as performing less than 75 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week.

Exclusion Criteria

- History of medical conditions such as diabetes, hyperlipidaemia
- History of eating disorders known to affect appetite or restrained eaters (measured as scoring above 3.5 on the Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire)
- Diet status which may interfere with food intake (e.g., on a weight-loss diet)
- Currently taking medication which could interfere with energy intake, appetite, or exercise
- Any known food allergies or dietary requirements (e.g., vegan)
- Injury or condition preventing exercise

Study & Design

• Study Type: Interventional
• Study Design: Not specified