Carbohydrate Intake and Gut Hormone Release During Exercise

It is well established that following an acute bout of moderate-to-high intensity exercise individuals experience a transient suppression of hunger and a delay in the commencement of eating - a phenomenon referred to as exercise-induced anorexia. Acute exercise modulates the concentrations of gut hormones known to influence satiety, including the anorexigenic hormones glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY), as well as the acylated form of the orexigenic hormone ghrelin. These alterations in gut hormone concentrations have consequently been hypothesised to play a key role in exercise-induced anorexia.

Despite suppressing hunger and delaying eating, acute exercise does not appear to alter short-term energy intake in the immediate hours following exercise completion. The absence of a compensatory response therefore creates an energy deficit capable of inducing weight loss. Strategies that augment the gut hormone response to acute exercise may thus increase the potency of exercise as a weight-loss tool.

Research investigating the effect of exercise on appetite has frequently utilised participants in a fasting state. Undertaking exercise in this physiological condition contradicts current practices, as athletes often consume a carbohydrate source immediately prior to exercise in an attempt to maximise performance. It is currently unknown as to whether the consumption of carbohydrate during this period may further enhance the gut hormone response to exercise, and thus research into a potential additive effect is warranted.

High-intensity exercise increases sympathetic nervous system activity and catecholamine release. Catecholamine concentrations are negatively correlated with acylated ghrelin concentrations and may directly stimulate GLP-1 and PYY release via activation of β-receptors located on L-cells. The decrease in gastric emptying rate that is observed during high-intensity exercise is also attributed to this increase in sympathetic activity. Consequently, an increase in sympathetic nervous system activity has been postulated as a key mechanism underlying exercise-induced changes in gut hormone concentrations. However, to our knowledge, no study has directly measured the relationship between sympathetic nervous system activity and anorexigenic gut hormone release during exercise.

Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine any potential additive effects of carbohydrate ingestion immediately prior to exercise on gut hormone release and post-exercise appetite suppression. Furthermore, this study will look to investigate the mechanisms underlying changes in gut hormone concentrations experienced during exercise.