Does exercise during a ketogenic diet effectively alter appetite sensation, appetite-regulating hormones, and body composition?

Abstract

Exercise and diet are two essential interventions in weight control. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two exercise training types during a ketogenic diet (KD) on appetite sensation, appetite-regulating hormones, and body composition in overweight or obese man. Thirty-six men, overweight or with obesity, voluntarily participated in this study. The participants were randomly assigned into three groups, including KD (n = 12), aerobic training during KD (AT-KD) (n = 12), and resistance training during KD (RT-KD) (n = 12) groups. The participants followed a low-carbohydrate diet for 6 weeks. Exercise training programs consisted of three sessions per week over 6 weeks. Appetite sensation was analyzed using a visual analogue scale (VAS) in fasting and postprandial states. The Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method analyzed appetite-regulating hormones, including spexin, leptin, and acylated ghrelin, in a fasting state. Body composition was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Furthermore, the ketosis state was monitored by measuring urinary ketones weekly. The results indicated that in both AT-KD and RT-KD groups, spexin and acylated ghrelin increased while leptin decreased without any between-group differences. Hunger and prospective food consumption (PFC) declined while satiety and fullness increased in all groups. The AT-KD group experienced a significant decrease in hunger and PFC, while fullness increased compared with the KD group. Fat mass, weight, and body mass index (BMI) decreased in all groups. Lean body mass increased in the RT-KD group (+2.66 kg) compared with both AT-KD and KD groups (-1.71 and -1.33 kg, respectively). This study demonstrated that AT-KD and RT-KD effectively altered appetite-regulating hormones and suppressed appetite sensation. In addition, both interventions had a favorable effect on weight loss and body fat reduction, with a more pronounced effect of RT-KD on maintaining lean body mass in overweight or obese men.

Keywords: Ketogenic diet; appetite; appetite-regulating hormones; body composition; exercise training.

Figure 1.

The effects of exercise training types during a ketogenic diet on body composition, including (a) weight, (b) BMI, (c) fat mass, and (d) lean body mass. Values are expressed as mean ± SD. (A color version of this figure is available in the online journal.) AT-KD: Aerobic training during a ketogenic diet group; RT-KD: Resistance training during a ketogenic diet group; KD: ketogenic diet alone group. *Significant difference compared with the pre-test. ^#Significant difference compared with the KD group. ⁺Significant difference compared with the RT-KD group.

Figure 2.

The effects of exercise training types during a ketogenic diet on appetite sensation, including (a) hunger, (b) satiety, (c) fullness, and (d) prospective food consumption (PFC). Values are expressed as mean ± SD. (A color version of this figure is available in the online journal.) Assessment of pre-test appetite in a fasted state (Pre-F), assessment of pre-test appetite after eating breakfast (Pre-BF), assessment of post-test appetite in a fasted state (Post-F), assessment of post-test appetite after eating breakfast (Post-BF). AT-KD: aerobic training during a ketogenic diet group; RT-KD: resistance training during a ketogenic diet group; KD: ketogenic diet alone group. *A significant difference compared with the Pre-F. ^†A significant difference compared with the Pre-BF. ^#A significant difference compared with the KD group. ^‡A significant difference compared with the RT-KD group.