Energy intake post-exercise is associated with enjoyment independently of exercise intensity

Purpose

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of exercise intensity on energy intake post-exercise and its relationship with enjoyment and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) generated by exercise.

Methods

For this, nine sedentary overweight men performed high-intensity intermittent exercise and steady-state exercise, totaling 30 min for both exercise sessions, and energy intake post-exercise was evaluated. Rating of perceived exertion and enjoyment scores were also measured immediately post-exercise.

Results

There was no difference in the amount of calories ingested post-exercise between conditions, enjoyment scores and RPE. There was a negative correlation between enjoyment and energy intake (r?=???0.552 strong]; p?=?0.018).

Conclusions

These data demonstrated that independent of exercise intensity, enjoyment scores were related to post-exercise energy intake.