The effects of exercise on food intake and hunger: Relationship with acylated ghrelin and leptin

This study investigated the effects of a long bout of aerobic exercise on hunger and energy intake and circulating levels of leptin and acylated ghrelin. ten healthy male subjects undertook two,4 h trials in a randomized crossover design. in the exercise trial subjects ran for 105 min at 50% of maximal oxygen uptake and the last 15 min at 70% of maximal oxygen uptake followed by a 120 min rest period. in the control trial,subjects rested for 4 h. subjects consumed a buffet test meal at 180 min during each trial. hunger ratings,acylated ghrelin,leptin,glucose and insulin concentrations were measured at 0,1,2,3 and 4 h. no differences were found at baseline values for hunger,acylated ghrelin,leptin,insulin and glucose for both trials (p > 0.05). the estimated energy expenditure of the exercise trial was 1550 ± 136 kcal. exercise did not change subsequent absolute energy intake,but produced a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in relative energy intake. a two-way anova revealed a significant (p <0.05) interaction effect for hunger and acylated ghrelin. in conclusion,this exercise regimen had a positive effect on reducing appetite which is related to reduced acylated ghrelin responses over time. this finding lends support for a role of exercise in weight management. © journal of sports science and medicine.