Free-living, 24-hour, and sleeping energy expenditure in sedentary, strength-trained, and endurance-trained men

Fifteen adult male volunteers were assigned to sedentary, moderately strength-trained, and moderately endurance-trained groups (5 per group) to determine the effect of exercise training on energy expenditure (EE). Subjects were matched for age, weight, and height. Group appointments were based on activity questionnaires and American College of Sports Medicine standards. Subjects consumed a mixed diet of 40% fat, 20% protein, and 40% carbohydrate at weight maintenance intake for 3 weeks while continuing their exercise training programs. There was no significant difference between groups for 24-hr EE measured in the controlled environment of a room-sized calorimeter. Free-living EE measured with 2H2(18)O in endurance- and strength-trained groups was significantly higher (19.4% and 35.1%, respectively) than in the sedentary group. Moderate endurance and strength training increased free-living EE but did not affect 24-hr EE when groups followed standardized activity schedules. These results suggest that increased EE caused by moderate exercise training is limited to the energy required to complete the exercise.