Resistance and aerobic exercises do not affect post-exercise energy compensation in normal weight men and women

Previous research has reported no effect of exercise modality (aerobic vs. resistance) on energy intake (EI). However, the relatively low energy cost of resistance training, the absence of total energy expenditure (TEE) measurements and the short duration of these studies justify further investigation.

To evaluate the effects of exercise modality on EI, TEE, non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) and post-exercise energy compensation (PEEC) measured acutely, as well as for 10 and 34 h following exercise.

Eight men and 8 women participated in three randomized crossover sessions: aerobic-based exercise, resistance-based exercise, and sedentary control. Exercise energy expenditure (ExEE) was continuously measured (indirect calorimetry) throughout the exercise sessions, which were designed to produce an isocaloric ExEE of 4 kcal/kg body weight. TEE and EI were monitored for 34 h post-exercise with biaxial accelerometers and a validated food menu, respectively.

There were no differences in EI between exercise modalities acutely, as well as 10 and 34 h following exercise. However, a modality by sex interaction was noted for acute EI. Men ate more after the resistance than after the aerobic session (1567±469; 1255±409 kcal, respectively; P=0.034), while no differences were seen in women (568±237; 648±270 kcal, respectively; P=NS). No differences in TEE, NEAT and PEEC were found 10h and 34 h post-exercise, while a positive correlation (r=0.897; P<0.01) was found between both modalities across participants for PEEC.

Exercise modality does not impact PEEC when ExEE is controlled. Our results also show that within-individual PEEC seems to be relatively constant across exercise modality.