Intensity and appreciation of sweet taste solutions are modulated by high-intensity aerobic exercise in adolescent athletic males

Abstract

AbstractIntroductionExercise tends to reduce subsequent meal intake, but mechanisms are still unclear. Interestingly, exercise seems to influence taste, which plays a role in energy intake. The effect of exercise on specific tastes is still to be elucidated, especially among younger participants who train at high intensity.MethodsAdolescents (14-16 years old) were recruited from a high school boys hockey team. Distinct taste tests were administered using low and high concentrations of sweet (sucrose 41.0 & 82.0 g/L), salty (sodium chloride 8.7 & 17.4 g/L) and bitter (caffeine 5.0 & 10.0 g/L) solutions before and after a 30 min aerobic high-intensity exercise session (70-90% of estimated maximal heart rate). McNemmar’s tests, standard paired T tests, Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test and Cohen’s d effect size tests were used to analyze the data.ResultsParticipants (n=19) were 14.7±0.7 years old, weighed 59.6±7.8kg, had a height of 173.4±7.9cm, and a bodyfat% of 11.6±3.1%. There were no significant differences in taste identification capacities. Participants (n=19) perceived as more intense (+31%, p=0.037) and appreciated better the low concentration sweet solution (+20%, p=0.004). Taste appreciation was also increased for the high concentration sweet solution (+15%, p=0.009). Effect sizes were medium [0.516-0.776].ConclusionHigh-intensity exercise influenced the perception of sweet taste. If higher taste intensity and appreciation of sweet can reduce energy intake, our results could help explain the effect of exercise on lowering subsequent energy intake.