Acute exercise elevates plasma acylated ghrelin and increased food intake in young women: A randomized crossover study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24191/06604415Keywords:
hunger, exercise intensity, appetite regulation, energy intake, exerciseAbstract
The physiological relationship between exercise, appetite regulation, and energy intake in women remains underexplored. The study examined the acute effects of exercise intensity on appetite regulation, acylated ghrelin responses and energy intake in young women. Thirteen healthy women (mean age 22 ± 1.96 years; BMI 22.4 ± 2.51 kg/m²) participated in three experimental conditions: a control (no exercise), and two 45-minute treadmill sessions at low (60% age-predicted maximal heart rate) and high intensity (85% age-predicted maximal heart rate), in a random crossover design with at least one week between sessions. Subjective appetite ratings via visual analogue scale (VAS), food liking, and food amount preferences were assessed using a questionnaire before and after each trial. Blood samples were collected to measure plasma acylated ghrelin concentrations immediately post-exercise. Data analysis was performed using SPSS. Plasma acylated ghrelin levels significantly increased from pre- to post-trial in both low- and high-intensity exercise conditions compared to control (p < 0.001). Hunger rating increased significantly in both low-intensity (p = 0.042) and high-intensity trials (p = 0.034) compared to control. Post-exercise mean calorie intake was significantly higher than the pre-exercise mean calorie intake in both low-intensity (p < 0.001) and high-intensity exercise (p = 0.036). Acute exercise increased hunger perception driven by elevated acylated ghrelin levels, regardless of exercise intensity. These findings suggest that appetite-stimulating effects of exercise may counteract energy expenditure, highlighting the need for further research on exercise strategies for weight management and obesity prevention in women.
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