Intensity and Appreciation of Sweet Taste Solutions Are Modulated by High-Intensity Aerobic Exercise in Adolescent Athletic Males

Abstract

Purpose: Exercise seems to influence taste, but the effect of exercise on specific tastes is still to be elucidated among youths. Methods: Athlete boys aged 14–16 years were recruited. Participants (n = 19) ages ranged 14.7 (0.7) years, weight 59.6 (7.8) kg, and height of 173.4 (7.9) cm. Distinct taste tests were administered using low and high concentrations of sweet, salty, and bitter solutions before and after a 30-minute aerobic exercise session (70%–90% of estimated maximal heart rate). McNemmar tests, standard paired t tests, Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, and Cohen d effect size tests were used to analyze taste identification, intensity, and appreciation. Results: There were no significant differences in taste identification capacities after exercise. Participants perceived more intense (P = .037) and appreciated better (P = .004) the low-concentration sweet solution after exercise. Taste appreciation was increased for the high-concentration sweet solution (P = .009) after exercise. Effect sizes were moderate (0.516–0.776). Possible effects were noted for the intensity of salty solutions (P = .0501 and .0543). Conclusion: Following an exercise session, participants had increased perceived intensity and appreciation of sweet solutions. This adds new insights into how exercise influences taste in youths, a topic less documented compared with adults, suggesting further research into its impact on dietary choices is needed.