Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Cindy Nguyen
Blaque Saur
Jasmine Viernes
Ramineh Karegaran
Elani Labo
Tom Krause
Fall 2017
Abstract
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Background: Mood during exercise may have an impact on performance and adherence.
Being in a fed or fasted state may impact the affect level of the individual during exercise.
Aim: The purpose of this study was to examine how exercising in a fed or fasted state
impacts self selected exercise intensity, affect, and exercise enjoyment. Methods: 10 subjects
participated in 3 trials that included practice, fasted, and fed. Participants walked or ran on
the treadmill at self selected intensities in order to maintain a rate of perceived exertion
(RPE) of 13 (somewhat hard). Heart rate (HR), speed and grade, affect, arousal, and RPE
were recorded throughout the 30 minute bouts. Blood samples were collected pre and post
exercise. Results: Data demonstrated that arousal (p=0.049) and affect (p=0.002)
significantly declined over time during exercise and were lower in the fasted versus fed state.
Paces and recalled affect were also lower in the fasted trial. The mean recalled affect was
9.35±3.8 when fed, versus the lower 6.85±3.2 while fasted. The mean paces score was
87.5±11.5 when fed, whereas the fasted state was lower at 80.9±12.3. Conclusion: Affect
level during exercise was higher in participants when in the fed state compared to the fasted
state. This is due to an increase in mood because of increased BG (Backhouse, et al., 2005)
Introduction
Exercise has been shown to significantly reduce diseases such as obesity, diabetes,
and cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, studies have shown that less than 5% of a
nationally representative sample achieved the recommended 30 minutes of activity per day
(Trost, et al., 2002; Troiano, et al., 2008). In addition, data indicates that 47% of individuals
who begin an exercise regimen result in withdraw from participation in their program prior to
completion (Marcus et al., 2006). Research suggests that an enjoyable response during
exercise has the capacity to positively impact the duration of an individual's exercise regimen
Carbohydrate (CHO) intake prior to exercise can significantly improve one's endurance
capacity as well as increase an overall feeling of pleasure and mood. In addition, the
consumption of CHO before exercise has the ability to enhance performance in those
participating in endurance based exercise by reducing the level of fatigue (Stannard et al.,
2010).
pleasurable mood during exercise in the fed state. Backhouse and colleagues testing
participants in two trials performing 2 hours on the cycle ergometer found that when CHO
was consumed prior to exercise, there was an increase in perceived pleasure during exercise
(Backhouse et al., 2005). Brown and colleagues found that when professional dancers
ingested CHO prior to their dance class, blood glucose (BG) concentrations were raised
throughout the duration of the dance class. Not only was this CHO meal a beneficial supply
of energy, it also positively affected the feelings of these dancers during exercise versus when
they were fasted (Brown et al., 2014). Data from previous studies identified that a CHO
individual's feeling before, during, and after exercise, previous studies have utilized the
feeling scale (Hardy & Rejeski, 1989) to identify how the subjects felt at a given moment.
These studies suggest that consumption of CHO based solutions contribute to increasing
enjoyment and positive feeling during exercise (Peacock et al., 2011). Though research has
been done regarding the effect of CHO consumption on mood during exercise, more research
is needed as to the self-perceived affect, intensity, and pleasure during a prolonged bout of
The purpose of this study was to identify whether exercise at a moderate intensity
during a fed or fasted state has the ability to affect intensity, affect, and exercise performance;
the findings of which could be used to promote exercise enjoyment. We hypothesized that
exercising in the fed state at moderate intensity would induce increased pleasurable feelings
during the exercise bout when compared to the fasted state. Additionally, exercising in a fed
state would affect the subjects’ perception of moderate intensity and exercise performance
Methods
Subjects
9 women and 1 male (n=10) (age= 21.9±0.57 years, weight = 63.9±10.4 kg, height =
164.6±6.1 cm, BMI = 23.6±3.7 kg/m2) with various activity levels, underwent exercise on the
treadmill (NordicTrack Runners Flex, Logan, UT). They were recruited from California State
University San Marcos through convenience sampling. Subjects were informed of procedures
but not of the expected outcomes. They had to be at least 18 years of age. Subjects completed
and signed a health history questionnaire and provided informed consent in order to
Design
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Pretest Guidelines
A practice trial was held in order to familiarize subjects with the use of a VO2 mask
as well as allow each subject to figure out what an RPE of 13 (somewhat hard) felt like (RPE,
Borg 1982). Subjects completed their trials within a one month period. Subjects were
preferably healthy, well hydrated, and well rested before coming into their fed and fasted
trials. All subjects had to refrain from eating for at least 10 hours prior to their visit to the
laboratory. Those completing their fed trial were given a Quaker Chewy granola bar (Quaker
Mill Company, Ravenna, OH) and 12 ounce Gatorade (PepsiCo, Harrison, NY) 30 minutes
before the trial. Those completing their fasted trial were given the granola bar and Gatorade
after the trial. Subjects did not need to exercise on a daily basis nor did they need to refrain
Procedures
VO2 (L/min) and RER were obtained through a three way valve (Hans Rudolph Inc,
Shawnee U.S.A.) and a metabolic cart (ParvoMedics True One, Sandy, UT). The three way
valve was held by a head piece that connected to a breathing tube. The breathing tube was
then connected to a 3 liter Calibration Syringe (Hans Rudolph Inc, Shawnee U.S.A) which
ultimately gathered VO2 and VCO2 data. An HR monitor connected to a watch that
RPE (6-20 scale) referred to the difficulty of the single 30 minute bout of walking or
jogging. The set difficulty was maintained throughout the bout at a somewhat hard level, or a
score of 13. Participants had the option to either change the speed or incline of the treadmill
every 3 minutes in order to maintain a somewhat hard level or a score of 13. Affective
response during exercise was measured on an 11 point scale. A score of +5 meant the
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participant felt very good, 0 meant the participant had a neutral feeling, and -5 meant the
participant felt very bad. Feeling of arousal was measured on a 6 point scale. A score of 0
meant that participants were unaroused by the exercise and not aware of their surroundings,
while a score of 5 meant participants were fully engaged in the exercise bout and aware of
their surroundings.
Blood Sampling
Blood samples were collected from the fingertip twice pre and three times post
exercise. Blood lactate concentration (BLa) was obtained through a Nova Biomedical Lactate
obtained through a Contour Next blood glucose monitoring system (Bayer HealthCare LLC,
Mishawaka, IN). BLa and BG concentration were obtained at rest 30 minutes before the trial
and BG was taken again 5 minutes before the trial. They were also taken immediately after
the subject completed his or her 30 minute bout, at 5 minutes post exercise, and at 15 minutes
post exercise.
Experimental Protocol
The trials, with the exception of the practice trial, were randomized. Upon coming
into the laboratory, subjects washed their hands before the blood samples and were measured
for height (in) and weight (kg). An HR monitor was strapped on to the chest and connected to
a watch. Subjects were also connected to a metabolic cart via a three way valve in order to
obtain oxygen and carbon dioxide levels when air was inspired and expired into the machine
through the mouth of the subjects. Subjects were instructed to exercise on a treadmill for 30
minutes with their choice of speed and incline. RPE, affect, and feelings of arousal were
obtained every 3 minutes. HR, speed, and incline were obtained every 1.5 minutes. A paces
questionnaire and recalled affect questionnaire were given after trials in order to obtain the
Statistical Analysis
Data was reported as mean ± standard deviation. Data was analyzed using SPSS
software version 20.0 (SPSS, IL). Significance testing was analyzed through repeated
measures ANOVA, tests of within-subjects, and effects were sphericity assumed with the
Results
Feeling Scale
ANOVA test with repeated measures was used to analyze the feeling affect. There was an
effect of treatment (p=0.049) and a significant treatment by time interaction (p=0.039). Data
demonstrated that affect declines throughout exercise and was lower in fasted versus fed
◆ = Fasted
✦=Fed
Arousal Scale
ANOVA test with repeated measures was used used to analyze felt arousal. There was a
significant effect of treatment (p=0.003) and of time (p=0.002). Data demonstrated that
arousal declines throughout exercise and was lower in the fasted versus fed state (Figure 2).
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◆ = Fasted
✦=Fed
Paces Scale
There was no significant effect for the paces score between treatments. Fed participants had a
mean paces score of 87.5±11.5, whereas the fasted state was lower at 80.9±12.3.
Recalled Affect
There was not a significant effect for the recalled affect score between treatments. Fed
participants had a mean recalled affect score of 9.35±3.8 versus the lower 6.85±3.2 for the
fasted state.
RER
ANOVA test with repeated measures was used to analyze the RER. There was a significant
effect of time (p=0.008) and treatment (p=0.007). Data demonstrated that RER was higher in
◆ = Fasted
✦=Fed
VO2
ANOVA test with repeated measures was used to analyze VO2. There was a significant
effect of time (p=0.027). Data demonstrated that V02 was higher in fed versus fasted (Figure
4).
◆ = Fasted
✦=Fed
Heart Rate
ANOVA test with repeated measures was used to analyze heart rate. There was a significant
effect over time (p<0.001). Data demonstrated that heart rate stayed around 170 bpm
◆ = Fasted
✦=Fed
Lactate
ANOVA test with repeated measures was used to analyze lactate. There was an effect of time
(p<0.001). Data demonstrated that lactate increases from pre-exercise to immediately after
and then decreases gradually post exercise (Figure 6). Lactate was higher in fed versus fasted.
◆ = Fasted
✦=Fed
Blood Glucose
ANOVA test with repeated measures was used to analyze BG. There was a significant
treatment by time interaction (p<0.001). Participants that ate before exercise represented a
spike in BG and then a steep decline. Those who fasted had higher BG concentrations post-
◆ = Fasted
✦=Fed
Speed
ANOVA test with repeated measures was used to analyze treadmill speed. There was a
significant effect over time (p<0.001). Data demonstrated that speed decreased overtime, but
◆ = Fasted
✦=Fed
Incline
ANOVA test with repeated measures was used to analyze treadmill incline. The results were
insignificant for all conditions. Data demonstrates greater inclines in the fed versus the fasted
◆ = Fasted
✦=Fed
Discussion
The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of fed state on the affect level of
participants engaging in thirty minutes of moderate endurance based exercise. That is, how
participants feel about exercise depending on whether they are in a fed or fasted state. As
expected, data shows that affect level during exercise was reported as higher by participants
when in the fed state compared to the fasted state. This indicates that people feel more
pleasure exercising after eating than when they have not eaten for at least 10 hours. This
could be due to an increase in mood because of increased BG (Backhouse, et al., 2005) or due
The affect levels were found to be significantly higher when subjects were in the fed
state than in the fasted state during the exercise bout. Affect decreased for both groups over
the duration of the bout and increased post-exercise. However, fed subjects reported
significantly more enjoyment during exercise than fasted subjects. In addition to higher
affect, subjects reported higher arousal in the fed state than in the fasted state. Arousal rates
decreased in both groups over the course of the bout of exercise. This indicates that subjects
felt more engaged with the exercise bout with intake of glucose as opposed to without. A
higher affect level may be due to the increase of glucose that breaks down from CHO, and
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(Backhouse, et al., 2005). Additionally, a paces questionnaire was given to participants post-
exercise regarding general levels of enjoyment. Subjects in the fed state had a higher mean
paces scores than subjects in the fasted state, further giving support that subjects found more
pleasure and enjoyment when in the fed state than in the fasted state.
before exercise. However, BG concentration decreased to levels similar to those found pre-
by muscles for ATP production during exercise. Conversely, BG concentration was found to
be very low in fasted subjects pre exercise but it increased during exercise. This low
concentration is expected due to lack of CHO ingestion prior to exercise, and the increase is
expected due to an increase of glycogen release during exercise. Additionally, BLa was found
to be significantly higher in subjects in the fed state than in the fasted state. BLa was found to
be highest in both trials immediately after exercise. BLa is expected to increase during
exercise because lactate production is a result of the breakdown of pyruvate from glucose.
Higher lactate concentrations are expected to be found after CHO ingestion due to higher BG
concentration.
VO2 was found to be higher in subjects in the fed state compared to the fasted state,
which coincides with a higher speed and incline set by subjects in the fed state compared to
the fasted state. RER was found to be significantly higher in subjects in the fed state
compared to the fasted state. RER is expected to be higher with an increased concentration of
BG. With increased BG concentration, there is increased breakdown of glucose which results
in higher CO2 production, which increases RER. Finally, HR was found to be similar in
subjects in the fed state and fasted state and remained fairly constant during exercise. This
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result is expected due to subjects maintaining similar exercise intensities, whether in the fed
or fasted state.
Results of the present study are similar to those found by previous research. One
study demonstrated that CHO ingestion before, during, and after a bout of cycling elicits
(Backhouse, et al., 2005). They also found that CHO ingestion prior to to exercise coincided
with a higher BG concentration immediately post exercise. Brown and Wyon (2014) also
found that dancers who ate a moderate glycemic energy bar before dance class reported a
higher rating on the pleasure-displeasure scale than dancers who fasted and only drank water.
Additionally, Backhouse et al. (2007) found a similar correlation between increased BG after
CHO ingestion during exercise and increased ratings on a feeling scale. However, the results
of their study were determined from high intensity exercise, whereas the present study
Limitations
One limitation of this study was that participants were young, healthy college
students. Results may not be similar for older adults or clinical patients. Additionally, only
one male participated in the study. Results may not be similar for other males. A population
size of 10 is also a limiting factor because it is too small to draw conclusions for the general
population. Participants were not directly monitored within the 10 hours before they came in.
They may have ate or drank within the fasting time period, yet still said they adhered to pre-
trial guidelines. Despite these limitations, these results may still offer insight into how CHO
intake before exercise can affect how a person feels about the exercise.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the findings in this study concur with those in similar studies that
suggest CHO ingestion prior to exercise can increase pleasure and enjoyment during the bout
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of exercise. Individuals are more likely to adhere to an exercise program when they find it
more pleasurable and enjoyable. With longer adherence to an exercise program, people can
attain more lasting health benefits such as reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and
diabetes. Future studies could be conducted to examine whether higher quantities of CHO
ingestion would elicit a higher rating on the affect scale and paces scale, measured against
quantities given in the current study. Additionally, some research suggests that co-ingestion
of alpha-lactalbumin protein with CHO may elicit a higher affect level (Qin, 2017), which in
conjunction with findings of the current study, could also promote further research.
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