Influence de l'entraînement physique sur l'équilibre énergétique et la composition du poids

The effects of exercise-training on energy balance and body composition are discussed in this article. A training program comprising exercise sessions of moderate duration induces only small changes in body weight. On the other hand, substantial weight losses are observed when obeses persons are subjected to a program including a large amount of exercise. Accordingly, obese individuals do not seem to increase significantly their caloric intake during such a program. Numerous studies show that regular exercise can increase resting metabolic rate, although large individual variations in the response to training are noted. The effect of exercise and exercise-training on diet-induced thermogenesis is not clearly established, some studies suggesting an increase in this parameter whereas others support the contrary. Training-induced weight loss is associated with a reduction in fat cell size. In general, the proportion of fat in the weight loss induced by training is higher than that resulting from dietary restriction. Some studies suggest that exercise-training may result in a greater depletion of fat cells than a low calorie diet, thus delaying the advent of the resistance to fat loss.