02 Jun , 10:57
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Scientists have proven: exercise alone is not enough for weight loss - a study by British specialists published in the journal Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism.
Researchers from Bangor University (UK) conducted an experiment involving 70 women aged 18 to 32 years who did not aim to lose weight. The participants were divided into groups, each performing intensive circuit training for 45-90 minutes three times a week for 4 and 8 weeks. During this time, the women continued to eat as usual, without changes to their diet. To avoid skewing the results, researchers told participants that the program was aimed at improving heart function.
The results of the experiment were unexpected: regular physical activity did not lead to weight loss even in women with excess body weight. The only significant change was observed in slender participants - they increased their muscle mass.
Scientists found that after workouts, most women experienced significantly increased appetite, and the body automatically compensated for calories burned with increased food consumption. This was also confirmed by changes in the levels of hormones that regulate hunger and satiety.
"Our body is designed to maintain weight, not lose it - this is a legacy of evolution, when food was scarce," explained the study leader Hans Peter Kubis in his article for The Conversation.
