Can exercise after mental work reduce appetite?

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Exercise After Mental Exertion May Reduce Appetite

New research suggests that engaging in physical activity following mentally demanding tasks could potentially curb appetite rather than increase it. A study conducted by researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham investigated this effect, involving 38 undergraduate students.
Study Design and Participants

The study involved dividing 38 undergraduate students into two distinct groups after they completed a graduate-level entrance examination. This mental exertion served as the baseline for evaluating appetite responses.
Exercise vs. Rest Intervention

Following the exam, one group was instructed to rest for 15 minutes, while the other group undertook 15 minutes of high-intensity interval training on a treadmill. This intervention period was designed to assess the immediate impact of physical activity versus passive recovery on subsequent food intake.
Caloric Intake Findings

Participants who engaged in exercise after the mental task consumed 25 fewer calories compared to their baseline measurements when they simply relaxed before eating. In contrast, those who rested after the mental task consumed an average of 100 calories more than when they had relaxed previously.
Potential Physiological Explanations

Researchers propose that the increased lactate levels observed after exercise may have helped to meet the brain's energy demands. This physiological response could potentially explain why individuals who exercised showed a reduction in calorie intake, suggesting that the body's energy needs were met through metabolic processes rather than immediate food consumption.

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Can exercise after mental work reduce appetite?

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