A single session of low-volume high-intensity interval and moderate-intensity continuous exercise elicits a transient reduction in ghrelin levels, but not in post-exercise energy intake in obese men

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated the acute effects of high-intensity interval (HIIE) and moderateintensity continuous (MICE) exercise on ghrelin levels in obese men. Subjects and methods: A total of 10 obese men (age 27.6 ± 1.8 years, body mass index 35.4 ± 4.5 kg/m², body fat 39.9 ± 2.1%) performed two exercise sessions in a randomized order: HIIE (10 x 1 min intervals at 90% of the maximal heart rate [HR max ] interspersed by 1 min of active recovery) and MICE (20 min at 70% of the HR max). Ghrelin levels were assessed pre-, post-and 1h post-exercise, and energy intake was assessed 1h post-exercise through an ad libitum meal. Results: HIIE and MICE showed a trend to decrease ghrelin levels immediately post-exercise (-14.1 ± 21.6% and-9.6 ± 23.8%, respectively, p = 0.07) and decreased 1h post-exercise (-12.7 ± 31.8% and-13.8 ± 21.7%, respectively, p < 0.05). No changes were observed for post-exercise energy intake (p > 0.05). There was a positive correlation between the change in ghrelin levels and post-exercise energy intake only for HIIE (r = 0.63, p = 0.05). Conclusion: In summary, a single session of HIIE and MICE elicits a reduction on ghrelin levels without changing post-exercise energy intake in obese men.

Ghrelin Response to Acute and Chronic Exercise: Insights and Implications from a Systematic Review of the Literature

“…A lack of ghrelin change was noted with short-term, long-term, or very long-term exercise of aerobic [46-51, 57, 69, 72, 74, 79, 83], resistance [53], combined [79], or intermittent [73] type. Five studies showed a decrease in trained [60,74,91] or untrained [59], normal weight or overweight/obese [69] individuals following short-or long-term aerobic [60,74], resistance [91] or intermittent [59,69] exercise. Finally, five studies involving active subjects showed an increase in TG following shortterm [50,71] or very long-term [94][95][96] moderate-intensity aerobic exercise.…”

Acute effect of high-intensity interval training versus moderate-intensity continuous training on appetite-regulating gut hormones in healthy adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…More than half of the studies (n = 7) had low levels of attrition bias [ 16 , [21] , [23] , 26 , 27 , [36] , [37] ], while the other five studies resulted in unclear levels of attrition bias given that no sufficient information was provided [ 22 , 25 , 28 , [24] , [35] ]. Levels of reporting bias were low in five of the included studies [ 16 , 21 , 27 , [24] , [36] ], while it is unclear about the other seven studies [ [22] , [23] , [25] , [26] , 35 , [37] , [38] ]. Evaluations of the carry-over effect demonstrated low levels of carry-over effect in the majority of the studies (n = 11) since these studies provided one to two weeks of wash-over periods between the experimental session; one study did not provide information regarding the wash-over periods [ 16 ].…”