High Habitual Physical Activity Improves Acute Energy Compensation in Nonobese Adults

Purpose: Evidence suggests that homeostatic satiety signalling is enhanced with higher levels of physical activity (PA), with active individuals demonstrating an improved ability to compensate for previous energy intake (EI). However, prior studies lacked objective assessment of both PA level and EI. This study examined the effect of objectively-measured PA level on homeostatic (energy compensation) and hedonic (liking and wanting) responses to high-energy (HEP), low-energy (LEP) and control preloads. Methods: Thirty-four nonobese individuals were grouped by tertiles of accelerometry-measured habitual moderate-to-vigorous PA (low: LoMVPA; moderate: ModMVPA; high: HiMVPA), similar in age, sex and BMI. Following a preliminary assessment, EI (fixed-energy breakfast and ad libitum lunch, dinner and evening snack box meals) was determined during three probe meal days in which preloads varying in energy content (HEP: 699 kcal, LEP: 258 kcal, control: 0 kcal) were consumed prior to the lunch meal. Liking and wanting were assessed pre- and post-preload consumption (Leeds Food Preference Questionnaire) and appetite ratings were taken throughout the day. Results: Relative to control, EI at lunch was reduced to a greater extent after consumption of HEP compared to LEP in ModMVPA (p<.01) and HiMVPA (p=.01), but not LoMVPA (p=.59), reflecting more accurate energy compensation in HiMVPA and ModMVPA. There were no effects on cumulative EI post-preload (lunch, dinner and snack box combined). HEP led to a greater suppression of hunger, liking and wanting compared to LEP in all MVPA tertiles. Conclusion: Nonobese individuals with lower levels of measured PA were insensitive to the nutritional manipulation of the preloads, suggesting a weaker satiety response to food. This study provides objective evidence that higher habitual PA improves acute homeostatic appetite control.