Moderate-to-vigorous and light-intensity aerobic exercise yield similar effects on food reward, appetitive responses, and energy intake in physically inactive adults

Objective: To examine the effect of acute aerobic exercise at moderate-to-vigorous and light intensity on food reward, appetite sensation, and energy intake (EI) in physically inactive adults. Methods: Twenty inactive, healthy adults (mean age: 21 ± 3 years) completed two trials (i.e. moderate-to-vigorous and light-intensity exercise) in a randomised, crossover design. Participants performed a 40-min cycling bout at either 50% or 20% peak power output in a counterbalanced order. Before and after exercise bouts, liking and wanting for fat and sweet/savoury categories of food were assessed by the Leeds Food Preference Questionnaire, along with subjective ratings of appetite and state food cravings. EI was evaluated by ad libitum meals following exercise bouts. Results: Results showed increased implicit wanting for high-fat relative to low-fat foods (p =.04, d_rm = 0.50) and savoury relative to sweet foods following exercise bouts (p =.04, d_rm = −0.49) without intensity-specific effects. Exercise bouts also led to increased subjective appetite (p < 0.001, η²_p = 0.60) and state food cravings (p = 0.001, η²_p = 0.44) without intensity-specific differences. There was no difference between exercise intensities on absolute EI, whereas relative EI was lower after moderate-to-vigorous exercise relative to light exercise (p < 0.001, d_rm = −1.56). Conclusion: Acute aerobic exercise, regardless of intensity, may lead to increased wanting for high-fat relative to low-fat and savoury relative to sweet-tasting foods, as well as enhanced appetite sensation and food cravings in physically inactive adults. Moderate-to-vigorous exercise does not induce additional energy intake relative to light exercise.