For readers who have been wondering why they are not hungry after a long run or bike ride, the data is in. Science Daily reports that researchers at Loughborough University in the UK put 11 male university students through their paces with three eight-hour exercise (or not) sessions. During
one session they ran for 60 minutes on a treadmill, and then rested for
seven hours. During another session they did 90 minutes of weight
lifting, and then rested for six hours and 30 minutes. During another
session, the participants did not exercise at all. The participants filled out surveys in
which they rated how hungry they felt at various points. At the same time, researchers measured
levels of ghrelin, a hormone that increases appetite, and peptide YY, a hormone that suppresses appetite. Science Daily reports that the treadmill (aerobic) session caused ghrelin
levels to drop and peptide YY levels to increase, indicating the
hormones were suppressing appetite. However, a weight-lifting
(non-aerobic) session produced a mixed result. Ghrelin levels dropped,
indicating appetite suppression, but peptide YY levels did not change
significantly.Based on the hunger ratings the participants filled out, both
aerobic and resistance exercise suppressed hunger, but aerobic exercise
produced a greater suppression of hunger, lasting for about two hours.
Read more in Science Daily.