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Post-exercise energy intake: do the intensity and mode of exercise matter? A systematic review and meta-analysis comparing high-intensity interval with moderate-intensity continuous protocols

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 76, pages 929–942 (2022)Cite this article

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Abstract

The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the impact of exercise intensity and mode (high-intensity interval exercise-HIIE or sprint interval exercise-SIE versus moderate-intensity continuous exercise-MICE) on post-exercise ad libitum energy intake. The studies were required to have at least two exercise conditions (HIIE or SIE vs MICE). Overall, 642 manuscripts were initially identified and 17 met the eligibility criteria. The random effect meta-analysis did not reveal differences for absolute energy intake (28 pairwise comparisons) between HIIE (p = 0.54; 95% Confidence Interval – CI: −0.14 to 0.26; 22 pairwise comparisons) or SIE (p = 0.08; 95% CI −0.65 to 0.03; 6 pairwise comparisons) versus MICE, neither for relative energy intake (p = 0.97; 95% CI: −0.35 to 0.10 for HIIE; p = 0.28; 95% CI: −1.03 to 0.06 for SIE) with five and one pairwise comparisons, respectively. Subgroup analyses for methods to evaluate ad libitum energy intake, body mass, sex, volume, and timing of exercise were non-significant. Inspecting each study, two pairwise comparisons reported lower post-exercise absolute energy intake in HIIE compared to control (CRTL), and three pairwise comparisons reported lower absolute energy intake after SIE compared to MICE. None pairwise comparison reported differences between protocols (HIIE or SIE versus MICE) for relative energy intake. In conclusion, the meta-analysis did not show differences between protocols for absolute and relative energy intake; five pairwise comparisons from 28 demonstrated lower absolute energy intake in HIIE or SIE compared to CRTL or MICE. Further studies are needed to address the key relevant variables in which exercise intensity and mode may impact energy intake.

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Fig. 1: Flow chart with the search process.
Fig. 2
Fig. 3: Absolute energy intake comparison between high-intensity interval (HIIE) or sprint interval exercise (SIE) and moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE).
Fig. 4: Absolute energy intake comparison between high-intensity interval (HIIE) or sprint interval exercise (SIE) and control condition (CRTL).
Fig. 5: Absolute energy intake comparison between moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE) and control condition (CRTL).
Fig. 6: Relative energy intake comparison between high-intensity interval (HIIE) or sprint interval exercise (SIE) and moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE).
Fig. 7: Relative energy intake comparison between high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) or sprint interval exercise (SIE) and control condition (CRTL).
Fig. 8: Relative energy intake comparison between moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE) and control condition (CRTL).

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Acknowledgements

PAQR was supported by FAPESP (2018/17239-0). VLGP was supported by Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) (88887.336103/2019-00). EF was supported by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) grant 301003/2019-0. RS was supported by Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (88887.463962/2019-00).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Exercise and Immunometabolism Research Group, Department of Physical Education, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, Brazil

    Priscila Almeida Queiroz Rossi

  2. High-intensity Intermittent Exercise Physiology Research Group; Department of Sport, School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

    Valéria Leme Gonçalves Panissa, Rodrigo Silveira, Monica Yuri Takito, Fernanda Santos Lima & Emerson Franchini

  3. Immunometabolism of Skeletal Muscle and Exercise Research Group, Department of Physical Education and Professor at Graduate Program in Science and Health, Federal University of Piauí (UFPI), Teresina, Brazil

    Fabrício Eduardo Rossi

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VLGP and EF conceived and designed the study. PAQR, VLGP, FER, FSL and RS analyzed the data. PAQR, VGLP, RS, MYT, FSL, FER and EF wrote the paper. All authors read and provided critical feedback on the manuscript before approving.

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Correspondence to Valéria Leme Gonçalves Panissa.

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Rossi, P.A.Q., Panissa, V.L.G., Silveira, R. et al. Post-exercise energy intake: do the intensity and mode of exercise matter? A systematic review and meta-analysis comparing high-intensity interval with moderate-intensity continuous protocols. Eur J Clin Nutr 76, 929–942 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-021-01026-w

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