HealthNCT06947824
Time-of-Day Effects of Fasted Exercise on Energy Intake
A study testing Fasted Morning Exercise (12h), Fasted Evening Exercise (6h) and Fasted Evening Exercise (12h) in people with Health and Energy Intake, run by Technical University of Munich at 1 site in Germany.
Trial summary
This trial's aim is to investigate the time-of-day effects (morning vs. evening) of fasted exercise on acute and 24h post-exercise energy intake. Specifically, we will compare the effects of fasted morning exercise (12h overnight fast) vs. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 30 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Health, Energy Intake, Eating Behaviors
- What is being tested?
- Fasted Morning Exercise (12h), Fasted Evening Exercise (6h) and Fasted Evening Exercise (12h)
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 35 participants
- Where
- 1 siteGermany
- Study dates
- 1 Apr 2025to 15 Dec 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 30 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- BMI of 18.5.0-30.0 kg/m2
- weight stability (≤2.5 kg weight change during the past 3 months)
- ability to exercise at a vigorous intensity for 30 minutes
Who cannot join
- pregnancy or breastfeeding
- smoking
- history of or current eating disorders
- medical condition or use of medication that could affect appetite or pose any contraindications to exercise
- As the menstrual cycle can cause fluctuations in food cravings and appetite, women of childbearing age were only eligible if they used hormonal contraceptives. To ensure constant exposure to exogenous estrogen and progestin throughout the study phase, participating women were further asked to use active hormone pills throughout the study period in both studies, a practice that is considered both safe and efficacious.
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Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Effects of Fasted Morning vs. Evening Exercise on Post-Exercise Energy Intake
This trial's aim is to investigate the time-of-day effects (morning vs. evening) of fasted exercise on acute and 24h post-exercise energy intake. Specifically, we will compare the effects of fasted morning exercise (12h overnight fast) vs. fasted (6h and 12h) evening exercise on total energy intake during a post-exercise ad libitum test meal as well as on 24h (free-living) energy intake. The secondary aim is to assess subjective appetite ratings before, immediately after, and 30 min post-exercise (visual analog scale). Healthy men and women aged 18-30 years will be included.
Read the detailed description
In a five-way crossover design, participants will complete three fasted and one non-fasted exercise sessions on a treadmill in randomized order on weekdays with one week in between sessions: once in the morning (~1h after participants' habitual wake-up time) following a 12h overnight fast (12h AMEx), once in the evening (exactly 12h after the 12h AMEx condition) after a 6h fast (6h PMEx), and once in the evening (identical to the 6h PMEx condition) following a 12h fast (12h PMEx). As control conditions, a subsample of participants (n=17) will also complete a fed morning exercise condition (AMEx Fed; identical timing to 12h AMEx) and a fed evening exercise condition (PMEx Fed; identical timing to 12h PMEx), following a small pre-exercise snack (~10% of individual energy requirements; 30 min before exercise). The standardized meals provided before the fasting period contained 30% of the individual's daily energy requirements and consisted of ~50% carbohydrates, ~30% fat, and ~20% protein.
- Conditions
- Health, Energy Intake, Eating Behaviors, Appetite
- Being tested
- Fasted Morning Exercise (12h), Fasted Evening Exercise (6h), Fasted Evening Exercise (12h), Fed Morning Exercise (AMEx Fed), Evening Fed Exercise (PMEx Fed)
- Medical subject headings
- Feeding Behavior
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Fasted Morning Exercise (12h)Behavioural
A 30-minute exercise session will take place on a treadmill in the morning (7:00, ~1h after participants' habitual wake-up time), after a 12h overnight fast. The session will consist of 30 minutes of steady state cycling at 65% of VO2max, following a 5 min warm-up.
Fasted Evening Exercise (6h)Behavioural
A 30-minute exercise session will take place on a treadmill in the evening (19:00, exactly 12 hours after the morning session), after a 6h fasting period. The session will consist of 30 minutes of steady state cycling at 65% of VO2max, following a 5 min warm-up.
Fasted Evening Exercise (12h)Behavioural
A 30-minute exercise session will take place on a treadmill in the evening (19:00, exactly 12 hours after the morning session), after a 12h fasting period. The session will consist of 30 minutes of steady state cycling at 65% of VO2max, following a 5 min warm-up.
Fed Morning Exercise (AMEx Fed)Behavioural
A 30-minute exercise session will take place on a treadmill in the morning (7:00, ~1h after participants' habitual wake-up time), after consuming a small pre-exercise snack (30 min before exercise). The session will consist of 30 minutes of steady state cycling at 65% of VO2max, following a 5 min warm-up.
Evening Fed Exercise (PMEx Fed)Behavioural
A 30-minute exercise session will take place on a treadmill in the evening (19:00, exactly 12 hours after the morning session), after consuming a small pre-exercise snack (30 min before exercise). The session will consist of 30 minutes of steady state cycling at 65% of VO2max, following a 5 min warm-up.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Fasted Morning Exercise (12h AMEx) | Experimental | Exercise will take place in the morning, following a 12h overnight fast Receives: Behavioral: Fasted Morning Exercise (12h) |
| Fasted Evening Exercise (6h PMEx) | Active comparator | Exercise will take place in the evening, following a 6h period of fasting Receives: Behavioral: Fasted Evening Exercise (6h) |
| Fasted Evening Exercise (12h PMEx) | Active comparator | Exercise will take place in the evening, following a 12h period of fasting Receives: Behavioral: Fasted Evening Exercise (12h) |
| Fed Morning Exercise (AMEx Fed) | Active comparator | Exercise will take place in the morning after consuming a small snack (30 min before exercise) Receives: Behavioral: Fed Morning Exercise (AMEx Fed) |
| Fed Evening Exercise (PMEx Fed) | Active comparator | Exercise will take place in the evening after consuming a small snack (30 min before exercise) Receives: Behavioral: Evening Fed Exercise (PMEx Fed) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Acute ad-libitum post-exercise energy intake (test meal)
Acute post-exercise energy intake (kcal) will be measured objectively using a single-item ad libitum test meal occurring 30 minutes after each exercise session. The meal will consist of cheese pizza, offered in excess of individual daily energy requirements, and all food will be provided at once.
Measured: 30 minutes after exercise
Secondary outcomes (5)
24h post-exercise energy intake
Post-exercise energy intake (ad libitum) will be self-reported (weighed food log) during the 24 hours following the exercise session. For the 6h PMEx and 12h PMEx conditions, this will encompass all food consumed after the exercise session until 19:00 the next day, including the test meal and typically the next day's breakfast, lunch, dinner, and all snacks consumed during this period. For the 12h AMEx condition, the 24-hour post-exercise period will encompass the test meal and typically lunch, dinner, snacks on the day of exercise, and the next day's breakfast, with the observation period ending at 07:00.
Measured: 24 hours post-exercise
Subjective appetite measures
At each study condition visit, participants will rate their subjective perception of hunger, fullness, and desire to eat, and prospective food consumption on a 100mm visual analog scale anchored from "not at all" to "extremely" before each exercise session (Pre), immediately after (Post), and after an additional 30 minutes of post-exercise rest (Post30, immediately before the test meal),
Measured: before exercise, immediately after exercise, and 30 minutes after exercise
Carbohydrate oxidation
Carbohydrate oxidation, measured via indirect calorimetry
Measured: continuously throughout the 30-minute exercise bout
Fat oxidation
Fat oxidation, measured via indirect calorimetry
Measured: continuously throughout the 30-minute exercise bout
Energy expenditure
Energy expenditure, measured via indirect calorimetry
Measured: continuously throughout the 30-minute exercise bout
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted27 Apr 2025
- Study start1 Apr 2025
- Primary completion30 Nov 2025
- Study completion15 Dec 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for HealthStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Technical University of MunichThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 35 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Technical University of Munich
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Karsten Koehler, Technical University of Munich
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06947824
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- MvE_FastEx
- Status last verified
- Jul 2025
- First submitted
- 14 Apr 2025
- Last updated
- 6 Feb 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: IPD will be shared upon reasonable request per the Technical University of Munich's data sharing policy.
Publications
Hochsmann C, Hechenbichler Figueroa S, Saller M, Frodl A, Nusser V, Koehler K. Effects of exercise timing and metabolic state on post-exercise energy intake and appetite-a randomized crossover trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2026 Jul 18;124(3):101439. doi: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2026.101439. Online ahead of print.
PubMed 42471222
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 6 Feb 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Fasted Morning vs. Evening Exercise on Post-Exercise Energy Intake
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06947824
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- MvE_FastEx
- Conditions
- Health, Energy Intake, Eating Behaviors, Appetite
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 35 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Technical University of MunichUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Apr 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Nov 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 15 Dec 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 27 Apr 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This trial's aim is to investigate the time-of-day effects (morning vs. evening) of fasted exercise on acute and 24h post-exercise energy intake. Specifically, we will compare the effects of fasted morning exercise (12h overnight fast) vs. fasted (6h and 12h) evening exercise on total energy intake during a post-exercise ad libitum test meal as well as on 24h (free-living) energy intake. The secondary aim is to assess subjective appetite ratings before, immediately after, and 30 min post-exercise (visual analog scale). Healthy men and women aged 18-30 years will be included.
Detailed description
In a five-way crossover design, participants will complete three fasted and one non-fasted exercise sessions on a treadmill in randomized order on weekdays with one week in between sessions: once in the morning (~1h after participants' habitual wake-up time) following a 12h overnight fast (12h AMEx), once in the evening (exactly 12h after the 12h AMEx condition) after a 6h fast (6h PMEx), and once in the evening (identical to the 6h PMEx condition) following a 12h fast (12h PMEx). As control conditions, a subsample of participants (n=17) will also complete a fed morning exercise condition (AMEx Fed; identical timing to 12h AMEx) and a fed evening exercise condition (PMEx Fed; identical timing to 12h PMEx), following a small pre-exercise snack (~10% of individual energy requirements; 30 min before exercise). The standardized meals provided before the fasting period contained 30% of the individual's daily energy requirements and consisted of ~50% carbohydrates, ~30% fat, and ~20% protein.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 5
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Fasted Morning Exercise (12h AMEx) | Experimental | Behavioral: Fasted Morning Exercise (12h)Exercise will take place in the morning, following a 12h overnight fast |
| Fasted Evening Exercise (6h PMEx) | Active comparator | Behavioral: Fasted Evening Exercise (6h)Exercise will take place in the evening, following a 6h period of fasting |
| Fasted Evening Exercise (12h PMEx) | Active comparator | Behavioral: Fasted Evening Exercise (12h)Exercise will take place in the evening, following a 12h period of fasting |
| Fed Morning Exercise (AMEx Fed) | Active comparator | Behavioral: Fed Morning Exercise (AMEx Fed)Exercise will take place in the morning after consuming a small snack (30 min before exercise) |
| Fed Evening Exercise (PMEx Fed) | Active comparator | Behavioral: Evening Fed Exercise (PMEx Fed)Exercise will take place in the evening after consuming a small snack (30 min before exercise) |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 30 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- BMI of 18.5.0-30.0 kg/m2
- weight stability (≤2.5 kg weight change during the past 3 months)
- ability to exercise at a vigorous intensity for 30 minutes
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- pregnancy or breastfeeding
- smoking
- history of or current eating disorders
- medical condition or use of medication that could affect appetite or pose any contraindications to exercise
- As the menstrual cycle can cause fluctuations in food cravings and appetite, women of childbearing age were only eligible if they used hormonal contraceptives. To ensure constant exposure to exogenous estrogen and progestin throughout the study phase, participating women were further asked to use active hormone pills throughout the study period in both studies, a practice that is considered both safe and efficacious.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Fasted Morning Exercise (12h)A 30-minute exercise session will take place on a treadmill in the morning (7:00, ~1h after participants' habitual wake-up time), after a 12h overnight fast. The session will consist of 30 minutes of steady state cycling at 65% of VO2max, following a 5 min warm-up. | Behavioural | Fasted Morning Exercise (12h AMEx) |
| Fasted Evening Exercise (6h)A 30-minute exercise session will take place on a treadmill in the evening (19:00, exactly 12 hours after the morning session), after a 6h fasting period. The session will consist of 30 minutes of steady state cycling at 65% of VO2max, following a 5 min warm-up. | Behavioural | Fasted Evening Exercise (6h PMEx) |
| Fasted Evening Exercise (12h)A 30-minute exercise session will take place on a treadmill in the evening (19:00, exactly 12 hours after the morning session), after a 12h fasting period. The session will consist of 30 minutes of steady state cycling at 65% of VO2max, following a 5 min warm-up. | Behavioural | Fasted Evening Exercise (12h PMEx) |
| Fed Morning Exercise (AMEx Fed)A 30-minute exercise session will take place on a treadmill in the morning (7:00, ~1h after participants' habitual wake-up time), after consuming a small pre-exercise snack (30 min before exercise). The session will consist of 30 minutes of steady state cycling at 65% of VO2max, following a 5 min warm-up. | Behavioural | Fed Morning Exercise (AMEx Fed) |
| Evening Fed Exercise (PMEx Fed)A 30-minute exercise session will take place on a treadmill in the evening (19:00, exactly 12 hours after the morning session), after consuming a small pre-exercise snack (30 min before exercise). The session will consist of 30 minutes of steady state cycling at 65% of VO2max, following a 5 min warm-up. | Behavioural | Fed Evening Exercise (PMEx Fed) |
Primary outcome
Acute ad-libitum post-exercise energy intake (test meal)
Time frame: 30 minutes after exercise
Acute post-exercise energy intake (kcal) will be measured objectively using a single-item ad libitum test meal occurring 30 minutes after each exercise session. The meal will consist of cheese pizza, offered in excess of individual daily energy requirements, and all food will be provided at once.
5 secondary outcomes
24h post-exercise energy intake
Time frame: 24 hours post-exercise
Subjective appetite measures
Time frame: before exercise, immediately after exercise, and 30 minutes after exercise
Carbohydrate oxidation
Time frame: continuously throughout the 30-minute exercise bout
Fat oxidation
Time frame: continuously throughout the 30-minute exercise bout
Energy expenditure
Time frame: continuously throughout the 30-minute exercise bout
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 6 Feb 2026.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 42471222Hochsmann C, Hechenbichler Figueroa S, Saller M, Frodl A, Nusser V, Koehler K. Effects of exercise timing and metabolic state on post-exercise energy intake and appetite-a randomized crossover trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2026 Jul 18;124(3):101439. doi: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2026.101439. Online ahead of print.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. IPD will be shared upon reasonable request per the Technical University of Munich's data sharing policy.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Fasted Morning Exercise (12h), Fasted Evening Exercise (6h) and Fasted Evening Exercise (12h) in people with Health and Energy Intake, run by Technical University of Munich at 1 site in Germany.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 6 Feb 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Germany. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Acute ad-libitum post-exercise energy intake (test meal) (time frame: 30 minutes after exercise). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06947824, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 6 Feb 2026.