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

•Exercise promote a compensatory effect in total volume of physical activity in adults with overweight.•Physical exercise sessions do not influence the subsequent energy intake, during a 2-week-period.•Vigorous exercise intensity promotes greater reduction in body weight. 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. To investigate the effect of different exercise intensities on total volume of physical activity and energy intake amongst active men with overweight. Young men with overweight from a naval academy (n = 72; mean ± SD, age 21 ± 2 years, BMI 27.9 ± 2.13 kg/m2) 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. 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). 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.