Comparison of voluntary and foraging running wheel activity on food demand in mice

The effects of running wheel activity on food intake and meal patterns were measured under several cost conditions for food in CD1 mice. In a first experiment, voluntary wheel running activity increased daily food intake relative to a sedentary group, and runners consumed bigger but fewer meals. Although they ate more, runners had significantly lower body fat than sedentary mice. In a second experiment, running was used as an approach cost and food access was contingent on running wheel activity. Mice were able to emit more wheel revolution responses compared to a condition in which nose poking was the approach response. In both voluntary and foraging running protocols mice had inelastic demand functions compared to the non-running groups. When running was voluntary (experiment 1), the day–night cycle for activity was more pronounced compared to when running was a foraging or approach activity (experiment 2).

Research Highlights►Voluntarily running mice increase food intake via meal size. ►Compared with sedentary mice, exercisers have an inelastic food demand function. ►When running is used as an access cost, mice show high response levels. ►High access costs may shift the circadian peak time of running earlier.