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<0.01). The hunger scores increased over the 120 minutes of passive recovery in all exercise and control sessions. The results suggest that the magnitude of EPOC is higher after HIE, promoting higher postexercise energy expenditure and a concomitant increase in fat utilization (lower RER) and transient suppression of hunger sensation in young adults.
Oxygen Consumption; Metabolism; Hunger; Food intake
