Exercise Timing and Weight Loss
Official title: Does When You Exercise Matter? A Randomized Trial Comparing the Effect of Morning versus Evening Aerobic Exercise on Weight Loss and Compensatory Behaviors
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11115583 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 start | August 17, 2021 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $646,902 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK126814-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11115583 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults aged 21 and older who are overweight or obese and interested in weight loss through aerobic exercise.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not looking to lose weight or are unable to participate in aerobic exercise may not directly benefit from this particular research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Catenacci, Victoria a — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Catenacci, Victoria a
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Predicting Weight Regain After Weight Loss Through Body Signals
A study with people who are losing weight will check how their body’s metabolism and appetite signals might influence if they regain weight later.
-
Engaging men in weight loss with a game-based mental training and app program
A game-based mobile program designed for American men to help them lose weight by combining engaging gaming features with brain training.
-
Aerobic exercise to boost stroke rehabilitation outcomes with a VR game
A VA-based study tests whether an aerobic workout before a hand-rehabilitation game can improve recovery after stroke for veterans.
-
Simplifying dietary self-monitoring to boost weight loss success
A study tests a lighter, easier way to track food to help adults with overweight or obesity lose weight through a digital program.
-
Community-based aerobic exercise for adults with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury
A year-long aerobic exercise program is being tested to see if it can improve thinking, mood, and quality of life for adults aged 45–80 who have had moderate to severe traumatic brain injury.
-
Activin signaling in muscles, aging, and weight loss
Aims to understand how activin signals in muscle affect aging, weight loss, and daily function, especially in older adults.
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.