Background: We investigated the impact of obesity on responses to high intensity interval exercise (HIIE) on hunger and energy intake (EI) in young men.
Methods: Ten men with obesity (OB) (Body Mass Index [BMI]: 34.6±4.4 kg/m2) and 10 with normal weight (CG) (BMI: 23.1±3.9 kg/m2) participated in a HIIE session. The session consisted of 6 rounds performed at 100% of maximum aerobic velocity (MAV) for 30 seconds, followed by 30 seconds of active recovery at 50% MAV and concluded with 4 minutes of passive recovery. This was repeated three times. EI was estimated at baseline and 24 h-post-HIIE. Hunger was measured at baseline, 2 h- and 24 h-post HIIE.
Results: Carbohydrate (CHO) intake increased in both groups (P<0.01). Hunger feelings (19.5 [0-50] mm at baseline to 50 [9-73] mm post-2 h and 60 [8-92] mm in post-24 h [group: P=0.71, time: P<0.01, group × time: P=0.06]) and a desire to eat (34 [1-89] ±36.0 mm at baseline to 63 [11-86] mm post-2 h and 51 [7-84] mm post-24 h [group: P=0.65, time: P<0.01, group × time: P=0.29]) increased in both groups.
Conclusions: Weight status does not modulate hunger and EI post-HIIE. However, the compensatory increase in CHO intake and hunger feelings is particularly noteworthy for health professionals.