The compensatory effect of exercise on physical activity and energy intake in young men with overweight: The EFECT randomised controlled trial.

Background: The compensatory effect of exercise on total volume of physical activity and food intake has been described as a possible explanation for the limited body weight loss observed during exercise interventions.
Objective: To investigate the effect of different exercise intensities on total volume of physical activity and energy intake amongst active men with overweight.
Design: Young men with overweight from a naval academy (n = 72; mean ± SD, age 21 ± 2 years, BMI 27.9 ± 2.13 kg/m ² ) were randomised to a control group (CG), moderate-intensity (MEG), or vigorous-intensity exercise group (VEG). MEG and VEG performed exercise sessions three times per week, for 60 min, during a 2-week period. Physical activity was assessed using triaxial accelerometers for 13 days. Energy intake was assessed at four time-points by 24-hour food recall. Intention-to-treat analyses were performed using linear mixed effect models.
Results: MEG and VEG presented a greater compensatory effect in the total volume of physical activity over time compared to CG, with a significant difference in the rate of change between VEG and CG (∆ = -250,503 counts vs. ∆ = -61,306 counts, respectively; p = 0.01), and MEG and CG (∆ = -253,336 counts vs. ∆ = -61,306 counts, respectively; p = 0.01). There was no difference between MEG and VEG (p = 0.97). Changes in energy intake were not different between groups (p = 0.18); however, MEG presented greater energy intake compared to CG (β=491 kcal/day; p = 0.01) and VEG (β=319 kcal/day; p = 0.07). VEG presented a greater reduction in body weight compared to MEG (-1.3 kg vs. -0.4 kg; p = 0.03) and CG (-1.3 kg vs. -0.6 kg; p = 0.07).
Conclusions: Two weeks of exercise promoted a compensatory effect in total volume of physical activity in active men with overweight, regardless of exercise intensity. The compensatory effect was not observed for energy intake, although there was a trend for higher absolute energy intake in the MEG. Consequently, individuals in the VEG showed greater reduction in body weight over the intervention period.
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