Purpose Determine the effects of aerobic or resistance training on activity related energy expenditure (AEE, kcal/d) and physical activity index (ARTE) following weight loss. It was hypothesized that weight loss without exercise training would be accompanied by a decrease in AEE, ARTE, and non-training physical activity energy expenditure (NEAT) and that exercise training would prevent decreases in free living energy expenditure. Methods 140 pre-menopausal women underwent an average of 25 pound weight loss during an 800 kcal/day diet of furnished food. One group aerobically trained 3 times/wk (40 min/d), another resistance trained 3 times/wk (10 exercises/2 sets x10 repetitions) and the third group did not exercise. DXA was used to measure body composition, indirect calorimetry to measure resting (REE) and walking energy expenditure, and doubly labeled water to measure total energy expenditure (TEE). AEE, ARTE, and non-training physical activity energy expenditure (NEAT) were calculated. Results TEE, REE, and NEAT all decreased following weight loss for the no exercise group, but not for the aerobic and resistance trainers. Only REE decreased in the two exercise groups. The resistance trainers increased ARTE. Heart rate and oxygen uptake while walking on the flat and up a grade were consistently related to TEE, AEE, NEAT, and ARTE. Conclusion Exercise training prevents a decrease in energy expenditure, including free living energy expenditure separate from the exercise training, following weight loss. Resistance training increased physical activity, while ease and economy in walking associates with increased TEE, AEE, NEAT, and ARTE.

Purpose To examine the effects of three different frequencies of combined resistance and aerobic training on total energy expenditure (TEE) and activity related energy expenditure (AEE) in a group of older adults. Methods Seventy-two women, 60 – 74 years old, were randomly assigned to one of three groups: 1 day/week of aerobic and 1 day/week of resistance (1+1); 2 days/week of aerobic and 2 days/week resistance (2+2); or 3 days/week aerobic and 3 days/week resistance (3+3). Body composition (DXA), feeling of fatigue, depression, and vigor (questionnaire), strength (1RM), serum cytokines (ELISA), maximal oxygen uptake (progressive treadmill test), resting energy expenditure, and TEE were measured before and after 16 weeks of training. Aerobic training consisted of 40 minutes of aerobic exercise at 80% maximum heart rate and resistance training consisted of 2 sets of 10 repetitions for 10 different exercises at 80% of one repetition maximum. Results All groups increased fat free mass, strength and aerobic fitness and decreased fat mass. No changes were observed in cytokines or perceptions of fatigue/depression. No time by group interaction was found for any fitness/body composition variable. TEE and AEE increased with the 2+2 group but not with the other two groups. Non-exercise training AEE (NEAT) increased significantly in the 2+2 group (+200 kcal/day), group 1×1 showed a trend for an increase (+68 kcal/day) and group 3+3 decreased significantly (−150 kcal/day). Conclusion Results indicate that 3+3 training may inhibit NEAT by being too time consuming and does not induce superior training adaptations to 1+1 and 2+2 training. Key words: physical activity, older adults, total energy expenditure, maximum oxygen uptake.

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Objective: Transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation (taVNS) may benefit cognition in healthy adults but may differentially affect specific domains of cognitive function. Currently, optimal stimulation parameters of taVNS have yet to be identified and the overall effectiveness of this approach remains unclear. Method: A literature review and random effects meta-analysis evaluated the effects of taVNS on cognitive performance outcomes across domains of function and outcome metrics (accuracy and response times). Subgroup meta-analyses and meta-regression models explored the moderating effects of stimulation parameters on performance outcomes. Results: Meta-analyses on 19 eligible studies indicated a weighted effect size of 0.21 for the effect of taVNS on overall cognitive performance, with significant effects on measures of executive function and measures of accuracy. Parameter meta-analyses indicated that stimulation site was most associated with improvements in executive function (g tragus = 2.39, g cymba concha = 0.48; Q = 39.84, p < .0001; β = −2.33, p = .03). Conclusions: taVNS may improve cognition, particularly executive function, and stimulation parameters may differentially influence outcomes. Continued research into the effects of taVNS as well as optimal stimulation parameters will be beneficial. Key PointsQuestion: The present study assessed the effectiveness of transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation (taVNS) on healthy cognition using meta-analytic techniques. Findings: This analysis finds that taVNS has a beneficial impact on cognition, particularly executive functions. Importance: This is the first quantitative assessment of the effects of taVNS and may be valuable to those using taVNS to improve cognitive function. Next Steps: This review highlights future directions for cognitive research using taVNS, particularly in further assessment of optimal stimulation parameters.

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