Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Original Article
  • Published:

Body composition, energy expenditure and physical activity

Sedentary behavior and compensatory mechanisms in response to different doses of exercise—a randomized controlled trial in overweight and obese adults

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 71, pages 1393–1398 (2017)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background/Objectives:

To examine compensatory changes in sedentary behavior (SB) and light-intensity physical activities (LIPA) in response to a 22-week exercise training program in overweight/obese adults; and to determine if different forms of exercise training and physical activity recommendations interact with these compensatory changes.

Subjects/Methods:

Eighty-nine overweight and obese individuals (body mass index (BMI): 25–34.9 kg/m2, 48% males), aged 18–50 years, were randomized into four intervention groups (strength, endurance, combined strength + endurance and physical activity recommendations) with a 25–30% caloric restriction of total daily energy expenditure for 22 weeks. Energy expenditure was measured by accelerometry before, during and after the program.

Results:

LIPA increased significantly (P<0.001) after three months and at the end of intervention compared to baseline (pre: 281±9 min; 3 months: 303±9 min; post: 312±8 min). SB percentage decreased by 5.3 at the end of the intervention (P=0.002). No interactions were observed between groups or sexes. Significant correlations were found between SB and body weight, fat mass, android fat mass and lean body mass before and after the intervention (P<0.05). LIPA was also significantly correlated with all these body composition variables in the pre-intervention, but only correlated with body weight at the end of intervention.

Conclusions:

There were no compensatory changes after a combined exercise and diet program; where minutes in LIPA increased and %SB decreased after the program, without differences among exercise modes. Greater physical activity levels can contribute to a better percentage and distribution of body tissues.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Figure 1
Figure 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. The Global BMI Mortality Collaboration. Body-mass index and all-cause mortality: individual-participant-data meta-analysis of 239 prospective studies in four continents. Lancet 2016; 388: 776–786.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Maher CA, Mire E, Harrington DM, Staiano AE, Katzmarzyk PT . The independent and combined associations of physical activity and sedentary behavior with obesity in adults: NHANES 2003-06. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2013; 21: E730–E737.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Mekary RA, Grontved A, Despres JP, De Moura LP, Asgarzadeh M, Willett WC et al. Weight training, aerobic physical activities, and long-term waist circumference change in men. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2015; 23: 461–467.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Baptista F, Santos DA, Silva AM, Mota J, Santos R, Vale S et al. Prevalence of the Portuguese population attaining sufficient physical activity. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2012; 44: 466–473.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Loprinzi PD, Davis RE . Daily movement patterns and predicted 10-yr risk for a first atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) event using the pooled cohort risk equations among US adults. Prev Med 2015; 81: 78–81.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Gennuso KP, Gangnon RE, Matthews CE, Thraen-Borowski KM, Colbert LH . Sedentary behavior, physical activity, and markers of health in older adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2013; 45: 1493–1500.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Biswas A, Oh PI, Faulkner GE, Bajaj RR, Silver MA, Mitchell MS et al. Sedentary time and its association with risk for disease incidence, mortality, and hospitalization in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann Intern Med 2015; 162: 123–132.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Romieu I, Dossus L, Barquera S, Blottiere HM, Franks PW, Gunter M et al. Energy balance and obesity: what are the main drivers? Cancer Causes Control 2017; 28: 247–258.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Chin SH, Kahathuduwa CN, Binks M . Physical activity and obesity: what we know and what we need to know. Obes Rev 2016; 17: 1226–1244.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Thomas DM, Bouchard C, Church T, Slentz C, Kraus WE, Redman LM et al. Why do individuals not lose more weight from an exercise intervention at a defined dose? An energy balance analysis. Obes Rev 2012; 13: 835–847.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. King NA, Caudwell P, Hopkins M, Byrne NM, Colley R, Hills AP et al. Metabolic and behavioral compensatory responses to exercise interventions: barriers to weight loss. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2007; 15: 1373–1383.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Smith L, Ekelund U, Hamer M . The potential yield of non-exercise physical activity energy expenditure in public health. Sports Med 2015; 45: 449–452.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Kozey-Keadle S, Staudenmayer J, Libertine A, Mavilia M, Lyden K, Braun B et al. Changes in sedentary time and physical activity in response to an exercise training and/or lifestyle intervention. J Phys Act Health 2014; 11: 1324–1333.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Turner JE, Markovitch D, Betts JA, Thompson D . Nonprescribed physical activity energy expenditure is maintained with structured exercise and implicates a compensatory increase in energy intake. Am J Clin Nutr 2010; 92: 1009–1016.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Willis EA, Herrmann SD, Honas JJ, Lee J, Donnelly JE, Washburn RA . Nonexercise energy expenditure and physical activity in the Midwest Exercise Trial 2. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2014; 46: 2286–2294.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Di Blasio A, Ripari P, Bucci I, Di Donato F, Izzicupo P, D'Angelo E et al. Walking training in postmenopause: effects on both spontaneous physical activity and training-induced body adaptations. Menopause 2012; 19: 23–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Melanson EL, Keadle SK, Donnelly JE, Braun B, King NA . Resistance to exercise-induced weight loss: compensatory behavioral adaptations. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2013; 45: 1600–1609.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Washburn RA, Lambourne K, Szabo AN, Herrmann SD, Honas JJ, Donnelly JE . Does increased prescribed exercise alter non-exercise physical activity/energy expenditure in healthy adults? A systematic review. Clin Obes 2014; 4: 1–20.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Melanson EL . The effect of exercise on non-exercise physical activity and sedentary behavior in adults. Obes Rev 2017; 18: 40–49.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Prince SA, Saunders TJ, Gresty K, Reid RD . A comparison of the effectiveness of physical activity and sedentary behaviour interventions in reducing sedentary time in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials. Obes Rev 2014; 15: 905–919.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. American College of Sports Medicine ACSM's Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins: Baltimore, 2006.

  22. Donnelly JE, Blair SN, Jakicic JM, Manore MM, Rankin JW, Smith BK . American College of Sports Medicine Position Stand. Appropriate physical activity intervention strategies for weight loss and prevention of weight regain for adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2009; 41: 459–471.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Zapico AG, Benito PJ, Gonzalez-Gross M, Peinado AB, Morencos E, Romero B et al. Nutrition and physical activity programs for obesity treatment (PRONAF study): methodological approach of the project. BMC Public Health 2012; 12: 1100.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Garber CE, Blissmer B, Deschenes MR, Franklin BA, Lamonte MJ, Lee IM et al. American College of Sports Medicine position stand. Quantity and quality of exercise for developing and maintaining cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, and neuromotor fitness in apparently healthy adults: guidance for prescribing exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2011; 43: 1334–1359.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Ortega R, Requejo A, Lopez-Sobaler A . Questionniares for dietetic studies and the assessment of nutritional status. In: Requejo A, Ortega R, editor. Nutriguía Manual of Clinical Nutrition in Primary Care. Editoria Complutense: Madrid, 2003.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Johannsen DL, Calabro MA, Stewart J, Franke W, Rood JC, Welk GJ . Accuracy of armband monitors for measuring daily energy expenditure in healthy adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2010; 42: 2134–2140.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Camiletti-Moiron D, Segura-Jimenez V, Alvarez-Gallardo IC, Estevez-Lopez F, Aparicio VA, Carbonell-Baeza A et al. Inter-accelerometer comparison to measure physical activity and sedentary time in female fibromyalgia patients: the al-Andalus project. Clin Exp Rheumatol 2015; 33: S46–S52.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Scheers T, Philippaerts R, Lefevre J . Variability in physical activity patterns as measured by the SenseWear Armband: how many days are needed? Eur J Appl Physiol 2012; 112: 1653–1662.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Almeida GJ, Wasko MC, Jeong K, Moore CG, Piva SR . Physical activity measured by the SenseWear Armband in women with rheumatoid arthritis. Phys Ther 2011; 91: 1367–1376.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Wetten AA, Batterham M, Tan SY, Tapsell L . Relative validity of 3 accelerometer models for estimating energy expenditure during light activity. J Phys Act Health 2014; 11: 638–647.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Berntsen S, Hageberg R, Aandstad A, Mowinckel P, Anderssen SA, Carlsen KH et al. Validity of physical activity monitors in adults participating in free-living activities. Br J Sports Med 2010; 44: 657–664.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Feehan LM, Goldsmith CH, Leung AY, Li LC . SenseWearMini and Actigraph GT3X accelerometer classification of observed sedentary and light-intensity physical activities in a laboratory setting. Physiother Can 2016; 68: 116–123.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Calabro MA, Lee JM, Saint-Maurice PF, Yoo H, Welk GJ . Validity of physical activity monitors for assessing lower intensity activity in adults. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 2014; 11: 119.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Compagnat M, Daviet JC, Salle JY, Mandigout S, Meurou J, Bordes J . Accelerometers are they accurate for the estimation of total energy expenditure over activities of daily living in stroke survivors? Ann Phys Rehabil Med 2016; 59S: e74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Almeida GJ, Irrgang JJ, Fitzgerald GK, Jakicic JM, Piva SR . Reliability of physical activity measures during free-living activities in people after total knee arthroplasty. Phys Ther 2016; 96: 898–907.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Huberty J, Ehlers DK, Kurka J, Ainsworth B, Buman M . Feasibility of three wearable sensors for 24 hour monitoring in middle-aged women. BMC Womens Health 2015; 15: 55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Rosenberger M . Sedentary behavior: target for change, challenge to assess. Int J Obes Suppl 2012; 2: S26–S29.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Sohn MW, Manheim LM, Chang RW, Greenland P, Hochberg MC, Nevitt MC et al. Sedentary behavior and blood pressure control among osteoarthritis initiative participants. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2014; 22: 1234–1240.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Stamatakis E, Hirani V, Rennie K . Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and sedentary behaviours in relation to body mass index-defined and waist circumference-defined obesity. Br J Nutr 2009; 101: 765–773.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Hamilton MT, Healy GN, Dunstan DW, Zderic TW, Owen N . Too little exercise and too much sitting: inactivity physiology and the need for new recommendations on sedentary behavior. Curr Cardiovasc Risk Rep 2008; 2: 292–298.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Cleland V, Schmidt M, Salmon J, Dywer T, Venn A . Combined associations of sitting time and physical activity with obesity in young adults. J Phys Act Health 2014; 11: 136–144.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Larsen BA, Allison MA, Kang E, Saad S, Laughlin GA, Araneta MR et al. Associations of physical activity and sedentary behavior with regional fat deposition. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2014; 46: 520–528.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Loprinzi PD . Accelerometer-determined physical activity and mortality in a national prospective cohort study of adults at high risk of a first atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease event. Int J Cardiol 2016; 202: 417–418.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Ryan JM, Crowley VE, Hensey O, Broderick JM, McGahey A, Gormley J . Habitual physical activity and cardiometabolic risk factors in adults with cerebral palsy. Res Dev Disabil 2014; 35: 1995–2002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Luke A, Bovet P, Plange-Rhule J, Forrester TE, Lambert EV, Schoeller DA et al. A mixed ecologic-cohort comparison of physical activity & weight among young adults from five populations of African origin. BMC Public Health 2014; 14: 397.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. McGuire KA, Ross R . Incidental physical activity and sedentary behavior are not associated with abdominal adipose tissue in inactive adults. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2012; 20: 576–582.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Loprinzi PD . Application of the ‘Fat-but-Fit’ paradigm in predicting 10-yr risk for an atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) event using the pooled cohort risk equations among US adults. Int J Cardiol 2016; 202: 297–299.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. O'Donovan G, Kearney E, Sherwood R, Hillsdon M . Fatness, fitness, and cardiometabolic risk factors in middle-aged white men. Metabolism 2012; 61: 213–220.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Cliff DP, Jones RA, Burrows TL, Morgan PJ, Collins CE, Baur LA et al. Volumes and bouts of sedentary behavior and physical activity: associations with cardiometabolic health in obese children. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2014; 22: E112–E118.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Martin A, Fitzsimons C, Jepson R, Saunders DH, van der Ploeg HP, Teixeira PJ et al. Interventions with potential to reduce sedentary time in adults: systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med 2015; 49: 1056–1063.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The PRONAF Study took place with the financial support of the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Convocatoria de Ayudas I+D 2008, Proyectos de Investigación Fundamental No Orientada, del VI Plan de Investigación Nacional 2008-2011, (Contrac: DEP2008-06354-C04-01). Special thanks to NKE ‘el niño sarcástico’ for helping and editing our final report. EAC is funded by a pre-doctoral grant of the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES). This study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (No. NCT01116856).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health and Human Performance, LFE Research Group, Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain

    E A Castro & P J Benito

  2. Exercise and Health Laboratory, CIPER, Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal

    P B Júdice, A M Silva & P J Teixeira

Authors
  1. E A Castro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. P B Júdice
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. A M Silva
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. P J Teixeira
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. P J Benito
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Consortia

on behalf of the PRONAF Study Group

Corresponding author

Correspondence to E A Castro.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Castro, E., Júdice, P., Silva, A. et al. Sedentary behavior and compensatory mechanisms in response to different doses of exercise—a randomized controlled trial in overweight and obese adults. Eur J Clin Nutr 71, 1393–1398 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2017.84

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2017.84

Search

Advanced search

Quick links