Exercise Timing and Weight Loss
Does When You Exercise Matter? A Randomized Trial Comparing the Effect of Morning versus Evening Aerobic Exercise on Weight Loss and Compensatory Behaviors
This research explores if exercising in the morning versus the evening makes a difference in how much weight adults with overweight or obesity can lose.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11115583 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many people try to lose weight through exercise, but sometimes the body makes up for the calories burned by increasing appetite or reducing other daily movements, which can limit weight loss. This project aims to determine if the time of day you exercise, specifically morning versus evening, can reduce these natural "compensatory" responses. We will compare an equivalent amount of aerobic exercise performed at different times to see its impact on body weight, how much food is eaten, and other energy burned throughout the day. By understanding this, we hope to make exercise a more effective tool for weight loss.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 21 and older who are overweight or obese and interested in weight loss through aerobic exercise.
Not a fit: Patients who are not looking to lose weight or are unable to participate in aerobic exercise may not directly benefit from this particular research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could help people with overweight or obesity achieve more significant weight loss from their exercise efforts by suggesting the best time of day to work out.
How similar studies have performed: Preliminary data from a previous intervention suggests that morning exercise may lead to greater weight loss compared to evening exercise, making this a promising area for further investigation.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- University of Colorado Denver — Aurora, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Catenacci, Victoria a — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Catenacci, Victoria a
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.