Effects of Resistance Exercise to Failure Versus Nonfailure on Appetite, Hormones, and Energy Intake in Young Healthy Males

This study examined how resistance exercise (RE) volume, a potential key factor in appetite regulation, influences subjective appetite, gut appetite hormones, and energy intake. Eighteen males (aged 21-27 years) completed failure RE (FRE; three sets of failure reps at 70% (at 1 RM), non-FRE (NFRE; 3 × 7 reps at 70% 1 RM), and control (CON) trials. Appetite and acyl-ghrelin, peptide YY, lactate, and glucose were measured pre- and postexercise 0-90 min. Ad libitum meal was provided after exercise. Participants recorded energy intake for the day before, the day of, and the day after each session. The incremental area under the curve (iAUC) for acyl-ghrelin (AG) in the FRE and NFRE were significantly lower than in the CON (p < .001). Peptide YY iAUC and glucose iAUC in the FRE were significantly higher than in the CON (p < .001; p = .003). There was a dose-response for lactate iAUC (FRE > NFRE > CON; p < .001). Appetite iAUC was significantly lower in the FRE than in the CON (p = .012). There were no significant differences in postexercise ad libitum meal and self-reported free-living energy intake between the three sessions (p = .246, p = .226). Acyl-ghrelin was negatively correlated with lactate and positively correlated with overall appetite in both RE sessions. Lactate was negatively correlated with overall appetite in both RE sessions. Moderate-intensity RE with moderate volume-induced temporary appetite suppression, whereas FRE led to prolonged suppression and greater appetite-related hormonal responses, yet neither affected energy intake in young males.