BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Body composition (BC) does not always vary as a function of exercise induced energy expenditure (exercise EE minus resting EE). Energy balance variables were measured to understand energy compensation (EC) in response to an exercise intervention performed at low (LOW) or moderate (MOD) intensity. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Twenty-one women with overweight/obesity (33 +/- 5 kg/m2; 29 +/- 10 yrs; 31 +/- 4 mlO2/kg/min) were randomized to a 3-month LOW or MOD (40 or 60% of VO2reserve, respectively) matched to expend 1,500 kcal/week (compliance 97 +/- 5%). Body energy stores (DXA), energy intake (EI) (food menu and food diaries), resting EE (indirect calorimetry), total EE (doubly-labeled water), time spent in different activities (accelerometers), appetite (visual analog scale), eating behavior traits and food reward (liking and wanting) were assessed at baseline, after weeks 1 and 2 and at the end of the 3-month exercise intervention. RESULTS: EC based on BC changes (fat mass and fat-free mass) was 49 +/- 79% and 161 +/- 88% in LOW and MOD groups, respectively (p = 0.010). EI did not change significantly during the intervention. However, eating behavior traits and food reward had changed by the end of the 3-month supervised exercise. Non-structured physical activity (NSPA) decreased across the intervention (p < 0.002), independent of the intensity of the exercise training. CONCLUSION: Women with overweight/obesity training at LOW presented lower EC for a given energy cost of exercise. Our results strongly suggest that NSPA plays a major role in mediating the effects of exercise on energy balance and ultimately on changes in BC. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.ClinicalTrials.gov identifier ISRCTN31641049.

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