Influence of brisk walking on appetite, energy intake, and plasma acylated ghrelin

• Published in: Medicine and science in sports and exercise Vol. 42; no. 3; p. 485
• Main Authors: King, James A, Wasse, Lucy K, Broom, David R, Stensel, David J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.03.2010
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Appetite - physiology; Biomarkers; Energy Intake; Ghrelin - blood; Ghrelin - metabolism; Humans; Male; Physical Exertion; Walking - physiology; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1530-0315
• DOI: 10.1249/mss.0b013e3181ba10c4

This study examined the effect of an acute bout of brisk walking on appetite, energy intake, and the appetite-stimulating hormone-acylated ghrelin. Fourteen healthy young males (age 21.9 +/- 0.5 yr, body mass index 23.4 +/- 0.6 kg x m(-2), (.)VO2max 55.9 +/- 1.8 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1); mean +/- SEM) completed two 8-h trials (brisk walking and control) in a randomized counterbalanced fashion. The brisk walking trial commenced with 60 min of subjectively paced brisk walking on a level-motorized treadmill after which participants rested for 7 h. Participants rested for the duration of the control trial. Ad libitum buffet meals were offered twice during main trials (1.5-2 and 5-5.5 h). Appetite (hunger, fullness, satisfaction, and prospective food consumption) was assessed at 30-min intervals throughout. Levels of acylated ghrelin, glucose, insulin, and triacylglycerol were determined from plasma. Sixty minutes of brisk walking (7.0 +/- 0.1 km x h(-1) yielded a net (exercise minus resting) energy expenditure of 2008 +/- 134 kJ, yet it did not significantly influence appetite, energy/macronutrient intake, or the plasma concentration of acylated ghrelin either during or after exercise(P > 0.05). Participants did not compensate for energy expended during walking, therefore a deficit in energy was induced (1836 kJ, 439 kcal) relative to control. This study demonstrates that, despite inducing a moderate energy deficit, an acute bout of subjectively paced brisk walking does not elicit compensatory responses in acylated ghrelin, appetite, or energy intake. This finding lends support for a role of brisk walking in weight management.