Effects of Morning Vs. Evening exercise on appetite, energy intake, performance and metabolism, in lean males and females

William J A Mode; Tommy Slater; Mollie G Pinkney; John Hough; Ruth M James; Ian Varley; Lewis J James; David J Clayton

doi:10.1016/j.appet.2022.106422

Effects of Morning Vs. Evening exercise on appetite, energy intake, performance and metabolism, in lean males and females

Appetite. 2023 Mar 1:182:106422. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2022.106422. Epub 2022 Dec 17.

Authors

William J A Mode¹, Tommy Slater¹, Mollie G Pinkney¹, John Hough¹, Ruth M James¹, Ian Varley¹, Lewis J James², David J Clayton³

Affiliations

¹ Musculoskeletal Physiology Research Group, Sport, Health and Performance Enhancement Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK.
² National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, UK.
³ Musculoskeletal Physiology Research Group, Sport, Health and Performance Enhancement Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK. Electronic address: David.Clayton@ntu.ac.uk.

PMID: 36539157
DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2022.106422

Abstract

Exercise is an important component of a weight management strategy. However, little is known about whether circadian variations in physiological and behavioural processes can influence the appetite and energy balance responses to exercise performed at different times of the day. This study compared the effects of morning and evening exercise on appetite, post-exercise energy intake, and voluntary performance. In randomised, counterbalanced order, 16 healthy males and females (n = 8 each) completed two trials, performing morning exercise at 10:30 (AMEx) or evening exercise at 18:30 (PMEx). Exercise consisted of 30 min steady-state cycling (60% V˙ O_2peak), and a 15-min performance test. A standardised meal (543 ± 86 kcal) was consumed 2-h before exercise and ad-libitum energy intake was assessed 15 min after exercise, with subjective appetite measured throughout. Absolute ad-libitum energy intake was 152 ± 126 kcal greater during PMEx (P < 0.001), but there was no differences in subjective appetite between trials immediately pre-exercise, or immediately before the post-exercise meal (P ≥ 0.060). Resting energy expenditure (P < 0.01) and carbohydrate oxidation (P < 0.05) were greater during AMEx, but there were no differences in substrate oxidation or energy expenditure during exercise (P ≥ 0.155). Exercise performance was not different between trials (P = 0.628). In conclusion, acute morning and evening exercise prompt similar appetite responses, but post-exercise ad-libitum energy intake is greater following evening exercise. These findings demonstrate discordant responses between subjective appetite and ad-libitum energy intake but suggest that exercise might offset circadian variations in appetite. Longer-term studies are required to determine how exercise timing affects adherence and weight management outcomes to exercise interventions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT04742530, February 8, 2021.

Keywords: Appetite; Circadian rhythm; Energy intake; Exercise; Substrate oxidation.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

Appetite* / physiology
Cross-Over Studies
Energy Intake* / physiology
Energy Metabolism / physiology
Exercise / physiology
Female
Humans
Male
Meals

Associated data

ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT04742530