Can a Manipulated Mind Alter Matter? : The Effects of Verbal Feedback on Self-Efficacy, Exercise Intention, and Exercise Behaviour among Low-Active College-Aged Women

Self-efficacy (SE), a person’s confidence in the ability to perform a task, is an important predictor of the adoption and maintenance of physical activity. The present study examined the effects of SE manipulated through verbal persuasion on exercise intentions and behaviour during a 4-week follow-up period and investigated the role of social physique anxiety (SPA) as a moderator. Female college infrequent exercisers (n = 66) were randomly assigned into one of three groups (high-efficacy [HE], low-efficacy [LE], or control) and asked to complete several questionnaires at baseline. The HE and LE groups were provided with positive and negative exercise adherence feedback, respectively. The HE group reported higher SE from pre- to post-feedback. Both the HE and LE groups reported increases in exercise behaviour at the 4-week follow-up. Pre- to post-feedback changes in SE, exercise intention, and exercise behaviour did not depend on level of SPA reported.

Aerobic exercise in adolescence : self-efficacy and stage of change

The purpose of this cross-sectional exploratory study was to examine the relationships among self-efficacy, stage of change, and exercise behaviour in a sample of younger (Grade 9) and older (Grade 12) adolescents. A secondary objective of this study was to apply the transtheoretical model of Stage of Change, as a measure of intention to change, in order to discover the applicability of the model to an adolescent cohort in relation to exercise behaviour. This five-stage model is a self-report measure of an individual's readiness to adopt a new behaviour (e.g., regular exercise). The transtheoretical model incorporates Bandura's self-efficacy factor, which is purported to be a predictive measure of exercise behaviour and a covariant of stage. Exercise behaviour was measured with the Physical Activity Scale, and the University of Rhode Island Change Assessment Scale (URleA) was used to measure the stage of change and self-efficacy variables. The results of this study indicated significant differences between younger and older adolescents, and between males and females in their exercise behaviour. No significant differences were found for grade and gender on stage of change as measured by either a single-item question or a continuous measure of stage. Although grade and gender subgroups were not significantly different in their self-efficacy, significant interaction was found in the grade*gender variable.

Sources of perceived support from friends in exercise : an application of self-determination theory /

Background: This study examined three social factors (i.e., autonomy support, structure, and involvement) and their relationship with the motivational processes proposed by Vallerand ( 1 997). This study explored sources of support for exercise participation. -~ ' Methods: Participants (N = 425) completed self-reported instruments which assessed variables outlined within Vallerand's ( 1 997) HMIEM. Results: Structural equation modeling analyses predicting the cognitive/affective and exercise behaviour accounted for 23 percent of variance in positive affect, 10 percent of variance in negative affect, 38 percent of variance in physical self-concept, and 4 percent of variance in exercise behaviour. Exploratory analyses revealed that friends, romantic partners, and educators to be consistent sources for providing autonomy support, structure, and involvement, f !,< r - r* Summary: This study is among the first to examine perceived sources oi autonomy support, structure, and involvement from friends in the exercise context and suggest such perceptions may contribute to motivating exercise behaviour in post-secondary students.

Inflammatory modulation of exercise salience: using hormesis to return to a healthy lifestyle

Most of the human population in the western world has access to unlimited calories and leads an increasingly sedentary lifestyle. The propensity to undertake voluntary exercise or indulge in spontaneous physical exercise, which might be termed "exercise salience", is drawing increased scientific attention. Despite its genetic aspects, this complex behaviour is clearly modulated by the environment and influenced by physiological states. Inflammation is often overlooked as one of these conditions even though it is known to induce a state of reduced mobility. Chronic subclinical inflammation is associated with the metabolic syndrome; a largely lifestyle-induced disease which can lead to decreased exercise salience. The result is a vicious cycle that increases oxidative stress and reduces metabolic flexibility and perpetuates the disease state. In contrast, hormetic stimuli can induce an anti-inflammatory phenotype, thereby enhancing exercise salience, leading to greater biological fitness and improved functional longevity. One general consequence of hormesis is upregulation of mitochondrial function and resistance to oxidative stress. Examples of hormetic factors include calorie restriction, extreme environmental temperatures, physical activity and polyphenols. The hormetic modulation of inflammation, and thus, exercise salience, may help to explain the highly heterogeneous expression of voluntary exercise behaviour and therefore body composition phenotypes of humans living in similar obesogenic environments.

Relationship of high energy expenditure and variation in dietary intake with reporting accuracy on 7 day food records and diet histories in a group of healthy adult volunteers

Objectives: To assess the accuracy of reporting from both a diet history and food record and identify some of the characteristics of more accurate reporters in a group of healthy adult volunteers for an energy balance study. Design: Prospective measurements in free-living people. Setting: Wollongong, Australia. Subjects: Fifteen healthy volunteers (seven male, eight female; aged 22 -59 y; body mass index (BMI) 19 - 33 kg/m(2)) from the local community in the city of Wollongong, Australia. Interventions: Measurement of energy intake via diet history interview and 7 day food records, total energy expenditure by the doubly labelled water technique over 14 days, physical activity by questionnaire, and body fat by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results: Increased misreporting of energy intake was associated with increased energy expenditure (r = 0.90, P < 0.0001, diet history; r(s)=0.79, P=0.0005, food records) but was not associated with age, sex, BMI or body fat. Range in number of recorded dinner foods correlated positively with energy expenditure (r(s)=0.63, P=0.01) and degree of misreporting (r(s)=0.71, P=0.003, diet history; r(s)=0.63, P=0.01, food records). Variation in energy intake at dinner and over the whole day identified by the food records correlated positively with energy expenditure (r=0.58, P = 0.02) and misreporting on the diet history (r=0.62, P=0.01). Conclusions: Subjects who are highly active or who have variable dietary and exercise behaviour may be less accurate in reporting dietary intake. Our findings indicate that it may be necessary to screen for these characteristics in studies where accuracy of reporting at an individual level is critical. Sponsorship: The study was supported in part by Australian Research Council funds made available through the University of Wollongong.

Social physique anxiety across physical activity settings : a meta-analytical review

The purpose of this meta-analytic investigation was to review the empirical evidence specific to the effect of physical activity context on social physique anxiety (SP A). English language studies were located from computer and manual literature searches. A total of 146 initial studies were coded. Studies included in the meta-analysis presented at least one empirical effect for SPA between physical activity participants (i.e., athletes or exercisers) and non-physical activity participants. The final sample included thirteen studies, yielding 14 effect sizes, with a total sample size of 2846. Studies were coded for mean SPA between physical activity participants and non-physical activity participants. Moderator variables related to demographic and study characteristics were also coded. Using Hunter and Schmidt's (2004) protocol, statistical artifacts were corrected. Results indicate that, practically speaking, those who were physically active reported lower levels of SPA than the comparison group (dcorr = -.12; SDeorr.-=-;22). Consideration of the magnitude of the ES, the SDeorr, and confidence interval suggests that this effect is not statistically significant. While most moderator analyses reiterated this trend, some differences were worth noting. Previous research has identified SPA to be especially salient for females compared to males, however, in the current investigation, the magnitude of the ES' s comparing physical activity participants to the comparison group was similar (deorr = -.24 for females and deorr = -.23 for males). Also, the type of physical activity was investigated, and results showed that athletes reported lower levels of SP A than the comparison group (deorr = -.19, SDeorr = .08), whereas exercisers reported higher levels of SPA than the comparison group (deorr = .13, SDeorr = .22). Results demonstrate support for the dispositional nature of SP A. Consideration of practical significance suggests that those who are involved in physical activity may experience slightly lower levels of SPA than those not reporting physical activity participation. Results potentially offer support for the bi-directionality of the relationship between physical activity and SP A; however, a causality may not be inferred. More information about the type of physical activity (i.e., frequency/nature of exercise behaviour, sport classificationllevel of athletes) may help clarify the role of physical activity contexts on SPA.

The effects of a general excercise program on task self-efficacy and social physique anxiety in older adults

Older adults represent the most sedentary segment of the adult population, and thus it is critical to investigate factors that influence exercise behaviour for this age group. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of a general exercise program, incorporating cardiovascular, strength, flexibility, and balance components, on task selfefficacy and SPA in older adult men and women. Participants (n=114, Mage = 67 years) were recruited from the Niagara region and randomly assigned to a 12-week supervised exercise program or a wait-list control. Task self-efficacy and SPA measures were taken at baseline and program end. The present study found that task self-efficacy was a significant predictor of leisure time physical activity for older adults. In addition, change in task self-efficacy was a significant predictor of change in SPA. The findings of this study suggest that sources of task self-efficacy should be considered for exercise interventions targeting older adults.

Glycogen storage and muscle glucose transporters (GLUT-4) of mice selectively bred for high voluntary wheel running

To examine the evolution of endurance-exercise behaviour, we have selectively bred four replicate lines of laboratory mice (Mus domesticus) for high voluntary wheel running ('high runner' or HR lines), while also maintaining four non-selected control (C) lines. By generation 16, HR mice ran ∼2.7-fold more than C mice, mainly by running faster (especially in females), a differential maintained through subsequent generations, suggesting an evolutionary limit of unknown origin. We hypothesized that HR mice would have higher glycogen levels before nightly running, show greater depletion of those depots during their more intense wheel running, and have increased glycogen synthase activity and GLUT-4 protein in skeletal muscle. We sampled females from generation 35 at three times (photophase 07:00 h-19:00 h) during days 5-6 of wheel access, as in the routine selection protocol: Group 1, day 5, 16:00 h-17:30 h, wheels blocked from 13:00 h; Group 2, day 6, 02:00 h-03:30 h (immediately after peak running); and Group 3, day 6, 07:00 h-08:30 h. An additional Group 4, sampled 16:00 h-17:30 h, never had wheels. HR individuals with the mini-muscle phenotype (50% reduced hindlimb muscle mass) were distinguished for statistical analyses comparing C, HR normal, and HR mini. HR mini ran more than HR normal, and at higher speeds, which might explain why they have been favored by the selective-breeding protocol. Plasma glucose was higher in Group 1 than in Group 4, indicating a training effect (phenotypic plasticity). Without wheels, no differences in gastrocnemius GLUT-4 were observed. After 5 days with wheels, all mice showed elevated GLUT-4, but HR normal and mini were 2.5-fold higher than C. At all times and irrespective of wheel access, HR mini showed approximately three-fold higher [glycogen] in gastrocnemius and altered glycogen synthase activity. HR mini also showed elevated glycogen in soleus when sampled during peak running. All mice showed some glycogen depletion during nightly wheel running, in muscles and/or liver, but the magnitude of this depletion was not large and hence does not seem to be limiting to the evolution of even-higher wheel running.

Psychological factors associated with self-management among adolescents with Type 1 diabetes: a review

This review aims to synthesise the literature examining the psychosocial variables related to self-management (insulin adherence, non-adherence and administration, blood sugar monitoring, dietary behaviour, exercise behaviour) in adolescents with type 1 diabetes.
A systematic search of three electronic databases was carried out and, after the application of eligibility criteria, 21 articles were assessed for quality prior to data extraction. Numerous psychological factors were found to be associated with self-management; however, correlations were typically small to moderate. The strongest associations were found between social anxiety and diet (among males); greater intrinsic motivation, conscientiousness and diet; and extraversion and exercise.

Mechanisms underlying activation of neural stem cells in the adult central nervous system

À la fin du 19e siècle, Dr. Ramón y Cajal, un pionnier scientifique, a découvert les éléments cellulaires individuels, appelés neurones, composant le système nerveux. Il a également remarqué la complexité de ce système et a mentionné l’impossibilité de ces nouveaux neurones à être intégrés dans le système nerveux adulte. Une de ses citations reconnues : “Dans les centres adultes, les chemins nerveux sont fixes, terminés, immuables. Tout doit mourir, rien ne peut être régénérer” est représentative du dogme de l’époque (Ramón y Cajal 1928). D’importantes études effectuées dans les années 1960-1970 suggèrent un point de vue différent. Il a été démontré que les nouveaux neurones peuvent être générés à l’âge adulte, mais cette découverte a créé un scepticisme omniprésent au sein de la communauté scientifique. Il a fallu 30 ans pour que le concept de neurogenèse adulte soit largement accepté. Cette découverte, en plus de nombreuses avancées techniques, a ouvert la porte à de nouvelles cibles thérapeutiques potentielles pour les maladies neurodégénératives. Les cellules souches neurales (CSNs) adultes résident principalement dans deux niches du cerveau : la zone sous-ventriculaire des ventricules latéraux et le gyrus dentelé de l’hippocampe. En condition physiologique, le niveau de neurogenèse est relativement élevé dans la zone sous-ventriculaire contrairement à l’hippocampe où certaines étapes sont limitantes. En revanche, la moelle épinière est plutôt définie comme un environnement en quiescence. Une des principales questions qui a été soulevée suite à ces découvertes est : comment peut-on activer les CSNs adultes afin d’augmenter les niveaux de neurogenèse ? Dans l’hippocampe, la capacité de l’environnement enrichi (incluant la stimulation cognitive, l’exercice et les interactions sociales) à promouvoir la neurogenèse hippocampale a déjà été démontrée. La plasticité de cette région est importante, car elle peut jouer un rôle clé dans la récupération de déficits au niveau de la mémoire et l’apprentissage. Dans la moelle épinière, des études effectuées in vitro ont démontré que les cellules épendymaires situées autour du canal central ont des capacités d’auto-renouvellement et de multipotence (neurones, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes). Il est intéressant de noter qu’in vivo, suite à une lésion de la moelle épinière, les cellules épendymaires sont activées, peuvent s’auto-renouveller, mais peuvent seulement ii donner naissance à des cellules de type gliale (astrocytes et oligodendrocytes). Cette nouvelle fonction post-lésion démontre que la plasticité est encore possible dans un environnement en quiescence et peut être exploité afin de développer des stratégies de réparation endogènes dans la moelle épinière. Les CSNs adultes jouent un rôle important dans le maintien des fonctions physiologiques du cerveau sain et dans la réparation neuronale suite à une lésion. Cependant, il y a peu de données sur les mécanismes qui permettent l'activation des CSNs en quiescence permettant de maintenir ces fonctions. L'objectif général est d'élucider les mécanismes sous-jacents à l'activation des CSNs dans le système nerveux central adulte. Pour répondre à cet objectif, nous avons mis en place deux approches complémentaires chez les souris adultes : 1) L'activation des CSNs hippocampales par l'environnement enrichi (EE) et 2) l'activation des CSNs de la moelle épinière par la neuroinflammation suite à une lésion. De plus, 3) afin d’obtenir plus d’information sur les mécanismes moléculaires de ces modèles, nous utiliserons des approches transcriptomiques afin d’ouvrir de nouvelles perspectives. Le premier projet consiste à établir de nouveaux mécanismes cellulaires et moléculaires à travers lesquels l’environnement enrichi module la plasticité du cerveau adulte. Nous avons tout d’abord évalué la contribution de chacune des composantes de l’environnement enrichi à la neurogenèse hippocampale (Chapitre II). L’exercice volontaire promeut la neurogenèse, tandis que le contexte social augmente l’activation neuronale. Par la suite, nous avons déterminé l’effet de ces composantes sur les performances comportementales et sur le transcriptome à l’aide d’un labyrinthe radial à huit bras afin d’évaluer la mémoire spatiale et un test de reconnaissante d’objets nouveaux ainsi qu’un RNA-Seq, respectivement (Chapitre III). Les coureurs ont démontré une mémoire spatiale de rappel à court-terme plus forte, tandis que les souris exposées aux interactions sociales ont eu une plus grande flexibilité cognitive à abandonner leurs anciens souvenirs. Étonnamment, l’analyse du RNA-Seq a permis d’identifier des différences claires dans l’expression des transcripts entre les coureurs de courte et longue distance, en plus des souris sociales (dans l’environnement complexe). iii Le second projet consiste à découvrir comment les cellules épendymaires acquièrent les propriétés des CSNs in vitro ou la multipotence suite aux lésions in vivo (Chapitre IV). Une analyse du RNA-Seq a révélé que le transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) agit comme un régulateur, en amont des changements significatifs suite à une lésion de la moelle épinière. Nous avons alors confirmé la présence de cette cytokine suite à la lésion et caractérisé son rôle sur la prolifération, différentiation, et survie des cellules initiatrices de neurosphères de la moelle épinière. Nos résultats suggèrent que TGF-β1 régule l’acquisition et l’expression des propriétés de cellules souches sur les cellules épendymaires provenant de la moelle épinière.

Mechanisms underlying activation of neural stem cells in the adult central nervous system

À la fin du 19e siècle, Dr. Ramón y Cajal, un pionnier scientifique, a découvert les éléments cellulaires individuels, appelés neurones, composant le système nerveux. Il a également remarqué la complexité de ce système et a mentionné l’impossibilité de ces nouveaux neurones à être intégrés dans le système nerveux adulte. Une de ses citations reconnues : “Dans les centres adultes, les chemins nerveux sont fixes, terminés, immuables. Tout doit mourir, rien ne peut être régénérer” est représentative du dogme de l’époque (Ramón y Cajal 1928). D’importantes études effectuées dans les années 1960-1970 suggèrent un point de vue différent. Il a été démontré que les nouveaux neurones peuvent être générés à l’âge adulte, mais cette découverte a créé un scepticisme omniprésent au sein de la communauté scientifique. Il a fallu 30 ans pour que le concept de neurogenèse adulte soit largement accepté. Cette découverte, en plus de nombreuses avancées techniques, a ouvert la porte à de nouvelles cibles thérapeutiques potentielles pour les maladies neurodégénératives. Les cellules souches neurales (CSNs) adultes résident principalement dans deux niches du cerveau : la zone sous-ventriculaire des ventricules latéraux et le gyrus dentelé de l’hippocampe. En condition physiologique, le niveau de neurogenèse est relativement élevé dans la zone sous-ventriculaire contrairement à l’hippocampe où certaines étapes sont limitantes. En revanche, la moelle épinière est plutôt définie comme un environnement en quiescence. Une des principales questions qui a été soulevée suite à ces découvertes est : comment peut-on activer les CSNs adultes afin d’augmenter les niveaux de neurogenèse ? Dans l’hippocampe, la capacité de l’environnement enrichi (incluant la stimulation cognitive, l’exercice et les interactions sociales) à promouvoir la neurogenèse hippocampale a déjà été démontrée. La plasticité de cette région est importante, car elle peut jouer un rôle clé dans la récupération de déficits au niveau de la mémoire et l’apprentissage. Dans la moelle épinière, des études effectuées in vitro ont démontré que les cellules épendymaires situées autour du canal central ont des capacités d’auto-renouvellement et de multipotence (neurones, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes). Il est intéressant de noter qu’in vivo, suite à une lésion de la moelle épinière, les cellules épendymaires sont activées, peuvent s’auto-renouveller, mais peuvent seulement ii donner naissance à des cellules de type gliale (astrocytes et oligodendrocytes). Cette nouvelle fonction post-lésion démontre que la plasticité est encore possible dans un environnement en quiescence et peut être exploité afin de développer des stratégies de réparation endogènes dans la moelle épinière. Les CSNs adultes jouent un rôle important dans le maintien des fonctions physiologiques du cerveau sain et dans la réparation neuronale suite à une lésion. Cependant, il y a peu de données sur les mécanismes qui permettent l'activation des CSNs en quiescence permettant de maintenir ces fonctions. L'objectif général est d'élucider les mécanismes sous-jacents à l'activation des CSNs dans le système nerveux central adulte. Pour répondre à cet objectif, nous avons mis en place deux approches complémentaires chez les souris adultes : 1) L'activation des CSNs hippocampales par l'environnement enrichi (EE) et 2) l'activation des CSNs de la moelle épinière par la neuroinflammation suite à une lésion. De plus, 3) afin d’obtenir plus d’information sur les mécanismes moléculaires de ces modèles, nous utiliserons des approches transcriptomiques afin d’ouvrir de nouvelles perspectives. Le premier projet consiste à établir de nouveaux mécanismes cellulaires et moléculaires à travers lesquels l’environnement enrichi module la plasticité du cerveau adulte. Nous avons tout d’abord évalué la contribution de chacune des composantes de l’environnement enrichi à la neurogenèse hippocampale (Chapitre II). L’exercice volontaire promeut la neurogenèse, tandis que le contexte social augmente l’activation neuronale. Par la suite, nous avons déterminé l’effet de ces composantes sur les performances comportementales et sur le transcriptome à l’aide d’un labyrinthe radial à huit bras afin d’évaluer la mémoire spatiale et un test de reconnaissante d’objets nouveaux ainsi qu’un RNA-Seq, respectivement (Chapitre III). Les coureurs ont démontré une mémoire spatiale de rappel à court-terme plus forte, tandis que les souris exposées aux interactions sociales ont eu une plus grande flexibilité cognitive à abandonner leurs anciens souvenirs. Étonnamment, l’analyse du RNA-Seq a permis d’identifier des différences claires dans l’expression des transcripts entre les coureurs de courte et longue distance, en plus des souris sociales (dans l’environnement complexe). iii Le second projet consiste à découvrir comment les cellules épendymaires acquièrent les propriétés des CSNs in vitro ou la multipotence suite aux lésions in vivo (Chapitre IV). Une analyse du RNA-Seq a révélé que le transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) agit comme un régulateur, en amont des changements significatifs suite à une lésion de la moelle épinière. Nous avons alors confirmé la présence de cette cytokine suite à la lésion et caractérisé son rôle sur la prolifération, différentiation, et survie des cellules initiatrices de neurosphères de la moelle épinière. Nos résultats suggèrent que TGF-β1 régule l’acquisition et l’expression des propriétés de cellules souches sur les cellules épendymaires provenant de la moelle épinière.

Randomized controlled trial of an intervention to change cardiac misconceptions in myocardial infarction patients

There is converging evidence that changing beliefs about an illness leads to positive recovery outcomes. However, cardiac misconceptions interventions have been investigated mainly in Angina or Coronary Heart Disease patients, and less in patients following Myocardial Infarction (MI). In these patients, cardiac misconceptions may play a role in the adjustment or lifestyle changes. This article reports a randomized controlled trial of an intervention designed to reduce the strength of misconceptions in patients after a first MI. The primary outcome was the degree of change in misconceptions and the secondary outcomes were: exercise, smoking status, return to work and mood (anxiety and depression). Patients in the intervention condition (n = 60) were compared with a control group (n = 67) receiving usual care. Both groups were evaluated at baseline and 4, 8 and 12 months after hospital discharge. There was a significant time-by-group interaction for the total score of cardiac misconceptions. Patients in the intervention group significantly decreased their total score of cardiac misconceptions at 4 months compared with the control group and this difference was sustained over time. Patients in the intervention group were also more likely to exercise at the follow-up period after MI than the control group. This intervention was effective in reducing the strength of cardiac misconceptions in MI patients and had a positive impact on health behaviour outcomes. These results support the importance of misconceptions in health behaviours and the utility of belief change interventions in promoting health in patients with Myocardial Infarction.

Using a combined motivational and volitional intervention to promote exercise and healthy dietary behaviour among undergraduates

Aims: This study tested the impact of combining a motivational intervention based on protection motivation theory (PMT, Rogers, 1983 [18]) plus a volitional intervention based on action planning and coping planning, as a way to promote the prevention of type 2 diabetes among UK undergraduates. Methods: Eighty-four participants were randomly assigned to either a control group or one of three experimental conditions: motivational intervention (PMT), volitional intervention (APCP), or combined motivational and volitional intervention (PMT&APCP). PMT variables, dietary and exercise behaviours were measured at three time-points over a four-week period. Results: The motivational intervention significantly changed PMT variables. The combined motivational and volitional intervention significantly decreased fat intake and increased the frequency of exercise relative to all other groups, and significantly increased the amount of fruit and vegetables consumed relative to control and volitional intervention groups. Conclusions: These results suggest that motivational intervention is effective at changing cognitions but changing behaviour requires an intervention based on both motivation and volition.

Effects of a 12-week aerobic exercise intervention on eating behaviour, food cravings and 7-day energy intake and energy expenditure in inactive men

This study examined effects of 12 weeks of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise on eating behaviour, food cravings and weekly energy intake and expenditure in inactive men. Eleven healthy men (mean ± SD: age, 26 ± 5 years; body mass index, 24.6 ± 3.8 kg/m2; maximum oxygen uptake, 43.1 ± 7.4 mL/kg/min) completed the 12-week supervised exercise programme. Body composition, health markers (e.g. blood pressure), eating behaviour, food cravings and weekly energy intake and expenditure were assessed before and after the exercise intervention. There were no intervention effects on weekly free-living energy intake (p=0.326, d=-0.12) and expenditure (p=0.799, d=0.04), or uncontrolled eating and emotional eating scores (p>0.05). However, there was a trend with a medium effect size (p=0.058, d=0.68) for cognitive restraint to be greater after the exercise intervention. Total food cravings (p=0.009, d=-1.19) and specific cravings of high-fat foods (p=0.023, d=-0.90), fast-food fats (p=0.009, d=-0.71) and carbohydrates/starches (p=0.009, d=-0.56) decreased from baseline to 12 weeks. Moreover, there was a trend with a large effect size for cravings of sweets (p=0.052, d=-0.86) to be lower after the exercise intervention. In summary, 12 weeks of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise reduced food cravings and increased cognitive restraint, however, these were not accompanied by changes in other eating behaviours and weekly energy intake and expenditure. The results indicate the importance of exercising for health improvements even when reductions in body mass are modest.