The Effect of Exercise Intensity on Perceived Post-Exercise Appetite

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there is a greater reduction in appetite following a high intensity interval training (HIIT) exercise session compared to a steady-state exercise (SSE) exercise session. Six subjects completed all three trials in a random, counterbalanced order, measuring subjects’ perceived appetites throughout the trial. HIIT was 10 two-minute bouts of high-intensity exercise separated by one minute rest, SSE was 30 minutes moderate intensity exercise, and control was 40 minutes rest. Eleven visual analog scale (VAS) surveys were completed to measure perceived appetite and taste preferences. HIIT significantly lowered appetite scores compared to the control trial immediately after exercise: “how hungry do you feel” (p = 0.0476); “how satisfied do you feel?” (p = 0.0116); “how full do you feel?” (p = 0.0225). No other significance was found. These results strengthen previous research that HIIT may lead to greater suppression of appetite immediately following exercise.