High-Intensity Exercise Offers Greater Weight Loss Benefits for Women

New Delhi: High-intensity workouts may offer greater weight loss benefits, particularly for women, according to a recent study published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society. The study found that vigorous physical activities such as jumping rope, swimming, and cycling can more effectively suppress hunger than moderate-intensity exercise, making them more beneficial for weight management.

Conducted by researchers at the University of Virginia in the US, the study explored the impact of exercise intensity on appetite regulation. The findings suggest that high-intensity workouts can reduce hunger levels significantly compared to moderate-intensity exercise or no exercise. This effect is largely attributed to changes in the hormone ghrelin, which plays a crucial role in stimulating appetite.

Lead author Kara Anderson explained that participants generally reported feeling less hungry following high-intensity workouts compared to moderate-intensity exercise. The study specifically noted that women seemed more susceptible to this appetite-suppressing effect than men.

The research involved 14 participants—eight males and six females—who were all untrained in high-intensity workouts. After fasting overnight, the participants engaged in exercises of varying intensities. The intensity levels were measured using blood lactate levels, and participants also self-reported their hunger levels. The results showed that females exhibited higher levels of total ghrelin compared to males. However, only women experienced a significant reduction in acylated ghrelin (AG), the active form of the hormone, after high-intensity exercise. Ghrelin has two forms: acylated (AG) and deacylated (DAG), both of which influence not only hunger but also energy balance, glucose metabolism, immune function, sleep, and memory.

Anderson emphasized that exercise can be considered akin to a drug, where the “dose” should be personalized based on an individual’s weight loss goals. She highlighted that high-intensity workouts may serve as an effective strategy for appetite suppression, potentially aiding in weight loss, especially in women. However, Anderson also noted that longer-term research is needed to confirm these initial findings and better understand the sustained effects of high-intensity exercise on appetite regulation and weight loss.

The study adds to the growing body of evidence supporting high-intensity interval training (HIIT) as a promising approach for weight management, particularly for women seeking to reduce appetite as part of their fitness goals. Researchers hope that the insights gained from this study can help shape more personalized exercise regimens based on individual physiology and fitness objectives.

While the findings are promising, the researchers caution that this is a small-scale study, and additional research with a larger sample size and longer follow-up periods is necessary to fully validate the benefits of high-intensity exercise for weight loss and appetite control.