Increased resting energy expenditure after 40 minutes of aerobic but not resistance exercise

Objective: Resting energy expenditure (REE) is increased 24 hours after high‐intensity aerobic exercise lasting 60 minutes, whereas results have been inconsistent after resistance training and aerobic exercise of shorter duration. The objective of the study was to compare the effects of 40 minutes of high‐intensity aerobic vs. resistance exercise on REE 19 to 67 hours after exercise. Research Methods and Procedures: REE was compared 19, 43, and 67 hours after 40 minutes of aerobic training (AT; 80% maximum heart rate) or resistance training (RT; 10 repetitions at 80% maximum strength, two sets and eight exercises). Twenty‐three black and 22 white women were randomly assigned to AT, RT, or no training (controls). Exercisers trained 25 weeks. REE was measured after a 12‐hour fast. Results: There was a significant time × group interaction for REE when adjusted for fat‐free mass and fat mass, with post hoc tests revealing that the 50‐kcal difference between 19 and 43 hours (1310 ± 196 to 1260 ± 161 kcal) and the 34‐kcal difference between 19 and 67 hours (1310 ± 196 to 1276 ± 168 kcal) were significant for AT. No other differences were found, including RT (19 hours, 1256 ± 160; 43 hours, 1251 ± 160; 67 hours, 1268 ± 188 kcal). Urine norepinephrine increased with training only in AT. After adjusting for fat‐free mass, REE Δ between 19 and both 43 and 67 hours was significantly related to urine norepinephrine (r = 0.76, p < 0.01 and 0.68, p < 0.03, respectively). Discussion: Consistent with findings on longer duration AT, these results show that 40 minutes of AT elevates REE for 19 hours in trained black and white women. This elevation did not occur with 40 minutes of RT. Results suggest that differences are, in part, due to increased sympathetic tone.