Does the Timing of When High Intensity Intermittent Exercise is Undertaken Matter?

There is a growing amount of literature committed to understanding if becoming more active will have beneficial effects on metabolic health; secondly do the traditional physical exercise and dietary approaches to managing obesity result in prolonged weight loss. The purpose of this study is to determine whether high intensity intermittent exercise (HIIE) and continuous exercise carried out in differing sequences within a day will have a beneficial health impact. Participants will complete two 8h experimental trials in a randomised cross-over design. Each participant will complete 60-min of exercise in both trial arms; HIIE-First or Continuous-First separated by a minimum of 7 days. One trial will consist of a 30-min HIIE cycling session (10 x 1min of peak power output followed by 2min rest). After completion of this bout of exercise, participants will ingest a standardised breakfast. Following a rest period of 3h before completing the remaining 30-min of exercise (50% peak maximal oxygen uptake), before consuming a standardised semi-sold lunch meal. The second trial will be identical other than participates will undertake the continuous exercise first followed by the HIIE. Regular appetite, breath and blood samples will be taken throughout the trials. In The 24 hours following the end of each trial, participants will be asked to record their dietary intake and record their feeling of well-being documented on a questionnaire. There will be no long-term follow up following completion of the study. Therefore, the aim of this research project is to identify whether the order of HIIE and continuous exercise separated within the day results in changes to gastrointestinal health, appetite, and metabolic responses.