Effects of different exercise intensities on energy expenditure and hunger sensation in young adults

The aim of this study was to investigate the acute and short-term effects of different aerobic exercise intensities on postexercise energy expenditure, respiratory exchange ratio (RER),and hunger sensation in young adults. Twenty healthy, physically active (>6 months) young men of normal weight (22.41±1.76 kg/m²) participated in this study. All subjects were randomly submitted to four experimental conditions: control (no exercise); LIE, low-intensity exercise (40% of VO2peak); MIE, exercise of moderate intensity (60% of VO2peak), and HIE, high-intensity exercise (80% of VO2peak). The magnitude of (EPOC - excess post-exercise oxygen consumption),and RER were measured by direct gas analysis. A visual analogue scale was used to rate hunger sensation at baseline, immediately after the experimental session, and after 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes of passive recovery. The results showed a positive correlation between the magnitude of EPOC and exercise intensity (r=0.74, p<0.01), with the duration and magnitude depending on exercise intensity. For all experimental conditions, the hunger sensation was greater in the LIE group (p