Engaging in structured exercise training appears to be linked with a reduction in daily non-exercise physical activities, according to a recent meta-study conducted by the University of Copenhagen. The study’s findings suggest that as individuals increase their involvement in organized exercise, they tend to decrease their participation in everyday physical activities such as walking, cycling, and taking the stairs. These results have implications for individuals aiming to achieve weight loss through exercise.
The study, published in the journal Current Nutrition Reports, analyzed data from 24 research studies that examined individuals’ levels of daily physical activity before and during interventions involving various structured exercise programs. Julie Marvel Mansfeldt, a graduate student at the University of Copenhagen’s Department of Nutrition, Exercise, and Sports (NEXS), led the research and highlighted a critical aspect of weight management.
“Losing weight is about altering the balance between energy consumption and expenditure. This can be achieved by modifying diet to reduce caloric intake or by increasing physical activity,” Mansfeldt explained. “In theory, increased exercise should lead to weight loss due to an energy deficit. However, in practice, weight loss through exercise often falls short of expectations, suggesting the presence of a compensatory mechanism. Surprisingly, studies show that we do not typically increase our food consumption when starting an exercise regimen. This suggests that we must be reducing non-exercise physical activity, which includes all physical activities in daily life outside of structured exercise.”
One of the studies analyzed in the research reported that this reduction in non-exercise physical activity resulted in a 22% lower weight loss than expected from the exercise training program alone.
Mansfeldt suggested that both physiological and psychological factors contribute to this reduction in physical activity outside of exercise sessions. “Compensation can be as simple as feeling fatigued after a gym workout. However, there may also be a psychological aspect involved, where individuals feel they deserve to relax on the couch or skip activities like walking the dog or cycling to the supermarket,” Mansfeldt explained.
Contrary to popular belief, research has shown that an increase in appetite and food consumption after structured exercise activities is not a common occurrence. Additionally, the study revealed that compensatory reductions in non-exercise physical activities are observed in both men and women, regardless of whether they have a healthy body weight or are overweight.
The researchers hope that these findings will be put into practice by both individuals and professionals alike. Mansfeldt emphasized the importance of maintaining regular physical activity in daily life when pursuing exercise-based weight loss programs.
“The prevalence of overweight individuals is continually rising. It is crucial to consider strategies that promote a net energy balance, where energy consumption matches energy expenditure,” said Mansfeldt. “Current weight loss programs involving exercise typically caution participants against overeating. However, given the significance of this compensatory mechanism, it is advisable for individuals starting exercise-based weight loss programs to maintain their usual daily activities and avoid giving up activities such as cycling to work, walking, or taking the stairs.”
The meta-study was conducted under the supervision of Professor Faidon Magkos from the Department of Nutrition, Exercise, and Sports at the University of Copenhagen.
The research also highlighted that individuals with a “positive affect” – those who found exercise enjoyable and experienced positive moods during physical activity – tended to eat less and achieve more significant weight loss compared to those with a “negative affect” who found exercise challenging and less enjoyable. Mansfeldt stressed the importance of the psychological aspect in the success of training programs, suggesting that individuals should find exercise activities that suit their preferences and enjoyment.
