Effects of Time Restricted Feeding and Meal Timing on An 8-Week Aerobic Exercise Training Programme on Psychological...

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Nutritional Science
• Psychology

Background:

• Exercise and short-term fasting show potential benefits for psychological health.
• Time-restricted feeding (TRF) and aerobic exercise are common health interventions.
• Investigating combined interventions is crucial for optimizing psychological well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the long-term psychological effects of combining daily time-restricted feeding (16/8h) with aerobic exercise.
• To compare the effects of exercise in a fasted state versus a fed state, with an exercise-only control group.

Main Methods:

• Fifty-two participants were randomized into three groups: fasted exercise, fed exercise, and exercise with ad libitum diet.
• An 8-week intervention involved 3x/week aerobic training (60 min) and daily 16/8h TRF for two groups.
• Psychological health was assessed using validated questionnaires pre- and post-intervention.

Main Results:

• No significant group-by-time interactions were found, indicating similar effects across all groups.
• Significant improvements were observed in positive affect (Positive and Negative Affective Scale) and vital body dynamics (Body Image Questionnaire) across all participants.
• No significant changes were noted in quality of life, eating behavior, or mood.

Conclusions:

• Combining time-restricted feeding with aerobic exercise yields comparable psychological benefits to exercise alone.
• The findings suggest that individuals can choose dietary strategies based on preference when incorporating aerobic exercise.
• Both interventions appear safe and effective for enhancing aspects of psychological health, particularly positive affect and body image.