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Table 1 Overview of characteristics of trials

From: Publisher Correction: Impact of physical activity on caloric and macronutrient intake in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Study

Population

Exercise characteristics

Meal characteristics

Absolute Energy Intake in kcal (mean ± SD)

Statistically significant change in intake (↑, ↓, ↔)

Macronutrients

Statistically significant change in Intake

(↑, ↓, ↔)

Ajibewa et al. 2017

n: 26 (NR)

Age: 7 – 11 y

BMI: normal weight, not further specified

Modality: Static stretching, standing and yoga poses Duration: 20 × 2 min Intensity: Resting heart rate + heart rate reserve * 25%

EE: NR

Pre-Intervention: Three standardized meals

Post-Intervention: One meal ad libitum

CON: 999 ± 62 (SE)

EX: 982 ± 50 (SE)

 ↔ 

NR

Modality: Push-ups, sit-ups, and age-appropriate calisthenics Duration: 20 × 2 min

Intensity: Resting heart rate + heart rate reserve * 50%

EE: NR

CON: 999 ± 62 (SE)

EX: 926 ± 63 (SE)

 ↔ 

Modality: Vigorous calisthenics (e.g., jumping jacks)

Duration: 20 × 2 min Intensity: Resting heart rate + heart rate reserve * 75%

EE: NR

CON: 999 ± 62 (SE)

EX: 1016 ± 76 (SE)

 ↔ 

n: 13 (NR)

Age: 7 – 11 y

BMI: obese, not further specified

Modality: Static stretching, standing and yoga poses Duration: 20 × 2 min Intensity: Resting heart rate + heart rate reserve * 25%

EE: NR

CON: 1145 ± 88 (SE)

EX: 1204 ± 71 (SE)

 ↔ 

  

Modality: Push-ups, sit-ups, and age-appropriate calisthenics Duration: 20 × 2 min

Intensity: Resting heart rate + heart rate reserve * 50%

EE: NR

 

CON: 1145 ± 88 (SE)

EX: 1066 ± 89 (SE)

 ↔ 

 

Modality: Vigorous calisthenics (e.g., jumping jacks)

Duration: 20 × 2 min Intensity: Resting heart rate + heart rate reserve * 75%

EE: NR

CON: 1145 ± 88 (SE)

EX: 1261 ± 103 (SE)

 ↔ 

Bozinovski et al. 2009

n: 29 (14 m, 15 f)

Age: 12.1 ± 0.4 y

BMI: 54.3rd ± 5.3 percentile

Modality: Treadmill Duration: 15 min

Intensity: Ventilation Threshold EE: 63 ± 7 kcal

Pre-Intervention: Standardized breakfast

Post-intervention: 250 mL water,

pizza meal ad libitum 30 min post-exercise

CON: 1078 ± 101 (SE)

EX: 1060 ± 103 (SE)

 ↔ 

NR

Modality: Treadmill Duration: 45 min

Intensity: Ventilation Threshold EE: 189 ± 14 kcal

CON: 1078 ± 101 (SE)

EX: 1101 ± 92 (SE)

 ↔ 

Fearnbach et al. 2016

n: 15 m

Age: 13.8 ± 1.5 y

BMI: 31.8 ± 4.2 kg/m2

Modality: Cycling

Duration: 45 min

Intensity: 65% VO2max

EE: 399 ± 75 kcal

Pre-Intervention:

Standardized breakfast

Post-Intervention:

Buffet meal ad libitum

30 min post-exercise

CON: 1116 ± 243

EX: 1037 ± 260

Protein (%)

CON: 29.4 ± 7.2

EX: 30.5 ± 6.7

 ↔ 

Fat (%)

CON: 16.5 ± 4.2

EX: 16.6 ± 4.2

 ↔ 

CHO (%)

CON: 53.4 ± 11.0

EX: 52.3 ± 10.5

 ↔ 

Fearnbach, Masterson et al. 2016

n: 20 (12 m, 8 f)

Age: 10.3 ± 1.1 y

BMI: 41.6 ± 21.7 percentile

Modality: Cycling

Duration: 30 min

Intensity: 70% VO2max

EE: 534 ± 263 kcal

Pre-Intervention:

Standardized breakfast

Post-Intervention:

Standardized snack;

lunch and dinner meal ad libitum, timing not reported

CON: 2088 ± 497

EX: 2171 ± 566

 ↔ 

Protein (kcal)

CON: 196 ± 67

EX: 207 ± 68

Fat (kcal)

CON: 655 ± 155

EX: 694 ± 181

CHO (kcal)

CON: 1235 ± 295

EX: 1269 ± 337

 ↔ 

Fearnbach, Silvert et al. 2017

n: 14 m

Age: 13.9 ± 1.1 y

BMI: 31.6 ± 4.5 kg/m2

Modality: Cycling

Duration: 45 min

Intensity: 65% VO2max

EE: 373 ± 57 kcal

Pre-Intervention:

Standardized breakfast

Post-Intervention:

Buffet meal ad libitum 30 min post-exercise

CON: 1091 ± 252

EX: 965 ± 214

Protein (%)

CON: 31.1 ± 5.5

EX: 31.8 ± 4.8

 ↔ 

Fat (%)

CON: 17.5 ± 3.2

EX: 17.1 ± 3.3

 ↔ 

CHO (%)

CON: 50.8 ± 8.3

EX: 50.4 ± 7.7

 ↔ 

 

n: 14 m

Age: 13.7 ± 1.1 y

BMI: 19.2 ± 3.2 kg/m2

Modality: Cycling

Duration: 45 min

Intensity: 65% VO2max

EE: 241 ± 93 kcal

 

CON: 854 ± 362

EX: 744 ± 246

 ↔ 

Protein (%)

CON:28.0 ± 7.2

EX: 28.1 ± 5.3

 ↔ 

Fat (%)

CON: 16.4 ± 4.9

EX: 16.1 ± 4

 ↔ 

CHO (%)

CON: 55.1 ± 11.1

EX: 52.2 ± 8.6

 ↔ 

Fillon et al. 2020

n: 18 (12 m, 6 f)

Age: 12.7 ± 1.3 y

BMI: 33.3 ± 6.5 kg/m2

Modality: Cycling

Duration: 30 min

Intensity: 65% VO2max

EE: 169 ± 44 kcal

Pre-Intervention:

Standardized breakfast

Post-Intervention:

Buffet lunch meal ad libitum 30 min post-exercise;

dinner buffet meal ad libitum

CON: 2175 ± 330

EX: 2277 ± 476

 ↔ 

Protein (%)

CON: 21.3 ± 2.5

EX: 21.0 ± 2.0

 ↔ 

Fat (%)

CON: 30.7 ± 5.8

EX: 31.2 ± 4.8

 ↔ 

CHO (%)

CON: 47.8 ± 7.4

EX: 47.4 ± 6.1

 ↔ 

Pre-Intervention:

Standardized breakfast

Post-Intervention:

CON: 2175 ± 330

EX: 1925 ± 360

Protein (%)

CON: 21.3 ± 2.5

EX: 20.6 ± 2.3

 ↔ 

   

Buffet lunch meal ad libitum 90 min post- exercise;

dinner buffet meal ad libitum

 

Fat (%)

CON: 30.7 ± 5.8

EX: 30.5 ± 5.7

 ↔ 

CHO (%)

CON: 47.8 ± 7.4

EX: 48.7 ± 7.3

 ↔ 

Fillon, Beaulieu et al. 2020

n: 17 (9 m, 8 f)

Age: 12.8 ± 1.4 y

BMI: 33.4 ± 5.7 kg/m2

Modality: Cycling

Duration: 30 min

Intensity: 65% VO2max

EE: 135 kcal ± NR

Pre-Intervention: Not clearly reported

Post-Intervention: Lunch ad libitum immediately post- exercise;

dinner buffet ad libitum

CON: 1997 ± 514

EX: 1939 ± 501

 ↔ 

Protein (%) CON: NR EX: NR

 ↔ 

Fat (%) CON: NR EX: NR

 ↔ 

CHO (%) CON: NR EX: NR

 ↔ 

Fillon, Mathieu et al. 2020

n: 15 (6 m, 9 f)

Age: 13.1 ± 1.4 y

BMI: 34.7 ± 6.0 kg/m2

Modality: Cycling

Duration: 30 min

Intensity: 65% VO2max

EE: 186 ± 52 kcal

Pre-Intervention:

Standardized breakfast

Post-Intervention:

Lunch meal ad libitum 180 min post-exercise;

dinner buffet meal ad libitum

CON: 2004 ± 430

EX: 1948 ± 416

 ↔ 

Protein (%)

CON: 22.0 ± 2.5

EX: 24.1 ± 3.7

 ↔ 

Fat (%)

CON: 30.8 ± 4.8

EX: 27.1 ± 7.0

 ↔ 

CHO (%)

CON: 46.9 ± 6.4

EX: 48.7 ± 8.9

 ↔ 

   

Pre-Intervention:

Standardized breakfast

Post-Intervention:

Lunch meal ad libitum 60 min post-exercise;

dinner buffet meal ad libitum

CON: 2004 ± 430

EX: 1820 ± 459

 ↔ 

Protein (%)

CON: 22.0 ± 2.5

EX: 23.5 ± 3.7

Fat (%)

CON: 30.8 ± 4.8

EX: 26.7 ± 8.1

 ↔ 

CHO (%)

CON: 46.9 ± 6.4

EX: 49.0 ± 10.5

 ↔ 

Masurier et al. 2018

n: 20 f

Age: 13.3 ± 1.0 y

BMI: 31.6 ± 3.9 kg/m2

Modality: cycling

Duration: 20 min

Intensity: Ventilation Threshold (54.1 ± 5.4% of VO2max)

EE: 117 ± 22 kcal

Pre-Intervention:

Standardized breakfast

Post-Intervention:

Buffet meal ad libitum 30 min post-exercise

CON: 738 ± 320

EX: 854 ± 450

 ↔ 

Protein (%)

CON: 16.3 ± 4.2

EX: 18.2 ± 4.5

 ↔ 

Fat (%)

CON: 9.7 ± 2.6

EX: 11.5 ± 11.5

 ↔ 

CHO (%)

CON: 71.1 ± 13.1

EX: 69.9 ± 7.4

 ↔ 

  

Modality: Cycling

Duration: 40 min

Intensity: Ventilation Threshold (54.1 ± 5.4% of VO2max)

EE: 235 ± 44 kcal

 

CON: 738 ± 320

EX: 806 ± 375

 ↔ 

Protein (%)

CON: 16.3 ± 4.2

EX: 17.5 ± 3.2

 ↔ 

Fat (%)

CON: 9.7 ± 2.6

EX: 11.1 ± 2.7

 ↔ 

CHO (%)

CON: 71.1 ± 13.1

EX: 71.0 ± 5.4

 ↔ 

Miguet et al. 2018

n: 33 (12 m, 21 f)

Age: 13.0 ± 0.9 y

BMI: 35 ± 4.3 kg/m2

Modality: Cycling

Duration: 15 min (5 × 2 min high,

30 s. Low intensity)

Intensity: High intensity intervals

EE: 102 ± 21 kcal

Pre-Intervention:

Standardized breakfast

Post-Intervention:

Lunch buffet ad libitum 30 min post-exercise;

dinner buffet ad libitum

CON: 2177 ± 471

EX: 2062 ± 460

Protein (%)

CON: 22.6 ± 3.4

EX: 22.7 ± 3.3

 ↔ 

Fat (%)

CON: 32.7 ± 6.1

EX: 31.9 ± 5.9

 ↔ 

CHO (%)

CON: 45.3 ± 7.1

EX: 46.1 ± 7.03

 ↔ 

Morris et al. 2018

n: 10 (5 m, 5 f)

Age: 9.8 ± 0.6 y

BMI: 18.3 ± 2.6 kg/m2

Modality: Sprints

Duration: 22 min (8 × 30 s)

Intensity: high intensity intervals

EE: NR

Pre-Intervention:

Same breakfast on both experimental days

Post-Intervention:

Lunch meal ad libitum 5–10 min post-exercise

CON: 500 ± 69

EX: 492 ± 84

 ↔ 

Protein (g)

CON: 12.7 ± 1.2

EX: 12.5 ± 1.5

 ↔ 

Fat (g)

CON: 23.4 ± 3.2

EX: 22.9 ± 3.7

 ↔ 

CHO (g)

CON: 60.2 ± 9.5

EX: 58.4 ± 11.6

 ↔ 

Nemet et al. 2010

n: 22 (7 m, 15 f)

Age: 9.1 ± 0.6 y

BMI: 23.9 ± 0.6 kg/m2

Modality: Aerobic games

Duration: 45 min

Intensity: high

EE: 9.6 kcal / kg Bodyweight (BW)

Pre-Intervention:

Controlled diet 24 h prior to experimental days

Post-Intervention:

Lunch buffet ad libitum 30–45 min post-exercise

CON: 806 ± 51 (SE)

EX: 935 ± 81 (SE)

NR

Modality: Swimming

Duration: 45 min

Intensity: moderate

EE: 7.6 kcal / kg BW

CON: 806 ± 51 (SE)

EX: 990 ± 106 (SE)

Modality: Resistance

Duration: 45 min

Intensity: moderate

EE: 6.3 kcal / kg BW

CON: 806 ± 51 (SE)

EX: 779 ± 84 (SE)

 ↔ 

n: 22 (5 m, 17 f)

Age: 9.4 ± 0.3 y

BMI: 17.0 ± 0.4 kg/m2

Modality: Aerobic games

Duration: 45 min

Intensity: high

EE: 10.2 kcal / kg BW

CON: 604.7 ± 64.5 (SE)

EX: 579.3 ± 34.1 (SE)

 ↔ 

  

Modality: Swimming

Duration: 45 min

Intensity: moderate

EE: 8.1 kcal / kg BW

 

CON: 604.7 ± 64.5 (SE)

EX: 484.9 ± 44.4 (SE)

 ↔ 

 

Modality: Resistance

Duration: 45 min

Intensity: moderate

EE: 6.9 kcal / kg BW

CON: 604.7 ± 64.5 (SE)

EX: 435.9 ± 41.8 (SE)

Saunders et al. 2013

n: 20 (8 m, 12 f)

Age: 12.2 ± 0.9 y

BMI: 18.6 ± 4.3 kg/m2

Modality: Walking

Duration: 2 min every 20 min (42 min total)

Intensity: low

EE: 744 ± 141 kcal (in 9 h)

Pre-Intervention:

Standardized breakfast

Post-Intervention:

Standardized lunch;

dinner buffet ad libitum 3 h post-exercise

CON: 1176 ± 459

EX: 1218 ± 467

 ↔ 

Protein (%)

CON: 10.68 ± 2.51

EX: 11.46 ± 3.32

 ↔ 

Fat (%)

CON: 34.51 ± 7.3

EX: 33.3 ± 8,1

 ↔ 

CHO (%)

CON: 54.81 ± 7.6

EX: 55.24 ± 9

 ↔ 

Modality: Walking + Treadmill

Duration: 2 min every 20 min (42 min total) + 40 min treadmill

Intensity: 20 min at 60% VO2max + 20 min at 30% VO2max

EE: 970 ± 219 kcal (in 9 h)

CON: 1176 ± 459

EX: 1265 ± 503

 ↔ 

Protein (%)

CON: 10.68 ± 2.51

EX: 10.71 ± 3.13

 ↔ 

Fat (%)

CON: 34.51 ± 7.3

EX: 35.61 ± 9.38

 ↔ 

CHO (%)

CON: 54.81 ± 7.6

EX: 53.7 ± 9.1

 ↔ 

Thivel, Isacco, Rousset et al. 2011

n: 12 (5 m, 7 f)

Age: 14.4 ± 1.5 y

BMI: 35.1 ± 7.6 kg/m2

Modality: Cycling

Duration: 30 min

Intensity: 70% VO2max

EE: 298 ± 28 kcal

Pre-Intervention:

Standardized breakfast

Post-Intervention:

Lunch buffet ad libitum 30 min post-exercise; dinner buffet ad libitum

CON: 2214 ± 222

EX: 1935 ± 220

Protein (kcal)

CON: 192 ± 33

EX: 206 ± 42

NR

Fat (kcal)

CON: 327 ± 66

EX: 373 ± 64

NR

CHO (kcal)

CON: 453 ± 120

EX: 367 ± 76

NR

Thivel, Isacco, Taillardat et al. 2011

n: 14 (7 m, 7 f)

Age: 14.1 ± 1.8 y

BMI: 33.9 ± 7.5 kg/m2

Modality: Cycling

Duration: 3 × 10 min (2 min rest in between)

Intensity: 70% VO2max

EE: 299 ± 29 kcal

Pre-Intervention: Standardized breakfast

Post-Intervention: Lunch buffet ad libitum 30 min post-exercise;

dinner buffet ad libitum

CON: 1808 ± 301

EX: 1576 ± 394

NR

Thivel et al. 2012

n: 15 m

Age: 13.5 ± 0.9 y

BMI: 30.7 ± 4.1 kg/m2

Modality: Cycling

Duration: 59 ± 6 min

Intensity: 40% VO2max

EE: 336 ± 50 kcal

Pre-Intervention:

Calibrated breakfast

Post-Intervention:

Lunch buffet ad libitum 30 min post-exercise;

dinner buffet ad libitum; breakfast buffet ad libitum the next morning

CON: 3620 ± 694

EX: 3820 ± 584

 ↔ 

Protein (%)

CON: 20.72 ± 4.69

EX: 19.5 ± 3.21

 ↔ 

Fat (%)

CON: 20.72 ± 4.69

EX: 43.44 ± 9.58

 ↔ 

CHO (%)

CON: 34.22 ± 8.73

EX: 37.04 ± 10.36

 ↔ 

  

Modality: Cycling

Duration: 30 ± 3 min

Intensity: 75% VO2max

EE: 332 ± 47 kcal

 

CON: 3620 ± 694

EX: 3398 ± 694

Protein (%)

CON: 20.72 ± 4.69

EX: NR

 ↔ 

Fat (%)

CON: 20.72 ± 4.69

EX: NR

 ↔ 

CHO (%)

CON: 34.22 ± 8.73

EX: NR

 ↔ 

Thivel et al. 2013

n: 10 (4 m, 6 f)

Age: 13.2 ± 0.9 y

BMI: 33.28 ± 3.65 kg/m2

Modality: Cycling

Duration: 3 × 10 min (1.5 min break in between)

Intensity: 75% VO2max

EE: 243 ± 21 kcal

Pre-Intervention:

Standardized breakfast

Post-Intervention:

Lunch buffet ad libitum 30 min post-exercise;

dinner buffet ad libitum

CON: 1787 ± 404

Bedrest: 1869 ± 294

EX: 1307 ± 304

Protein (%)

CON: 25.45 ± 3.93

EX: 29.75 ± 4.11

Fat (%)

CON: 14.22 ± 2.24

EX: 16.9 ± 2.34

CHO (%)

CON: 60.32 ± 6.14

EX: 53.28 ± 6.44

Thivel et al. 2014

n: 10 (4 m, 6 f)

Age: 13.2 ± 0.9 y

BMI: 33.28 ± 3.65 kg/m2

Modality: Cycling

Duration: 3 × 10 min (1.5 min break in between)

Intensity: 75% VO2max

EE: 243 ± 21 kcal

Pre-Intervention: Standardized breakfast

Post-Intervention:

Lunch buffet ad libitum;

dinner buffet ad libitum, timing not reported

CON: 1787 ± 404

EX: 1306 ± 304 *

Protein (g)

CON: 111.21 ± 26.25

EX: 96.18 ± 28.8

 ↔ 

Fat (g)

CON: 24.84 ± 6.29

EX: 21.48 ± 7.31

 ↔ 

CHO (g)

CON: 276.8 ± 64.48

EX: 180.69 ± 37.19

* Study arm from Thivel et al. 2013

n: 9 (3 m, 6 f)

Age: 13.3 ± 0.9 y

BMI: 19.11 ± 2.13 kg/m2

Modality: Cycling

Duration: 3 × 10 min (1.5 min break in between)

Intensity: 75% VO2max

EE: NR

CON: 1226 ± 322

EX: 1238 ± 320

 ↔ 

Protein (g)

CON: 86.05 ± 25.24

EX: 83.5 ± 25.33

 ↔ 

Fat (g)

CON: 20.06 ± 4.9

EX: 20.05 ± 5.84

 ↔ 

CHO (g)

CON: 174.43 ± 49.04

EX: 180 ± 48.4

 ↔ 

Thivel et al. 2015

n: 14 m

Age: 16.1 ± 0.3 y

BMI: 25.8 ± 2.1 kg/m2

Modality: Cycling

Duration: 18 ± 3 min

Intensity: 75% VO2max

EE: 549 ± 3 kcal

Pre-Intervention:

Standardized breakfast

Post-Intervention:

Lunch buffet ad libitum 30 min post-exercise;

snack buffet ad libitum;

dinner buffet ad libitum

CON: 2702 ± 344

EX: 3097 ± 405

 ↔ 

Protein (%)

CON: 33.2 ± 3.7

EX: 29.3 ± 6.3

 ↔ 

Fat (%)

CON: 13.5 ± 3.8

EX: 19.1 ± 7

     

CHO (%)

CON: 52.6 ± 5.6

EX: 51.3 ± 10.5

 ↔ 

Modality: Rugby session

Duration: 60 min

Intensity: moderate-to-high

EE: 549 ± 3 kcal

CON: 2702 ± 344

EX: 2942 ± 294

 ↔ 

Protein (%)

CON: 33.2 ± 3.7

EX: 30.4 ± 4.6

 ↔ 

Fat (%)

CON: 13.5 ± 3.8

EX: 16.6 ± 4.2

 ↔ 

CHO (%)

CON: 52.6 ± 5.6

EX: 51 ± 8.3

 ↔ 

Thivel et al. 2017

n: 14 (7 m, 7 f)

Age: 14.2 ± 1 y

BMI: 36.6 ± 5.0 kg/m2

Modality: Cycling

Duration: until 25% energy expenditure of energy consumed during lunch on CON day

Intensity: 65% VO2max

EE: 254 ± 92 kcal

Pre-Intervention:

Standardized breakfast

Post-Intervention:

Lunch buffet ad libitum 90 min post-exercise;

dinner buffet ad libitum

CON: 742 ± 297

EX: 971 ± 225

Protein (%)

CON: 17.3 ± 4.5

EX: 14.9 ± 3.2

 ↔ 

Fat (%)

CON: 21.6 ± 7.8

EX: 36.6 ± 10.9

 ↔ 

CHO (%)

CON: 61.1 ± 10.1

EX: 48.3 ± 9.0

 ↔ 

Thivel et al. 2020

n: 14 (6 m, 8 f)

Age: 12.8 ± 0.9 y

BMI: 34.8 ± 5.7 kg/m2

Modality: Cycling Duration: 30 min

Intensity: 65% VO2max

EE: 177 ± 39 kcal

Pre-Intervention: Standardized breakfast

Post-Intervention: Lunch buffet ad libitum 105 min post-exercise; dinner buffet ad libitum

CON: 1769 ± 532

EX: 1678 ± 501

 ↔ 

Protein (%)

CON: NR

EX: NR

 ↔ 

Fat (%)

CON: NR

EX: NR

 ↔ 

CHO (%)

CON: NR

EX: NR

 ↔ 

Pre-Intervention: Standardized breakfast

Post-Intervention: Snack to replace exercise induced energy deficit as after-load

Lunch buffet ad libitum 105 min post-exercise; dinner buffet ad libitum

CON: 1769 ± 532

EX: 1849 ± 486

 ↔ 

Protein (%)

CON: NR

EX: NR

 ↔ 

Fat (%)

CON: NR

EX: NR

 ↔ 

CHO (%)

CON: NR

EX: NR

 ↔ 

Varley-Campbell et al. 2017

n: 38 (20 m, 18 f)

Age: 13.0 ± 0.3 y

BMI: 16.8 ± 2.2 kg/m2

Modality: Cycling

Duration: until 1 MJ expended

31 to 56 min (44 ± 7 min)

Intensity: moderate

EE: 239 kcal

Pre-Intervention:

Same breakfast on all experimental days, standardized snack in SK groups

CON: 1441 ± 113 (SE)

CON + SK: 1367 ± 94 (SE)

 ↔ 

NR

   

Post-Intervention: Lunch pizza meal ad libitum 65 min post- exercise

EX: 1496 ± 111 (SE)

EX + SK: 1450 ± 103 (SE)

 ↔ 

SK = Snack (containing 239 kcal)

 
  1. CON Control group, EX Exercise group, VO2max maximal oxygen uptake, VT Ventilation threshold, EE Energy expenditure, NR Not reported, SD standard deviation, SE standard error
  2. ↑intake significantly higher
  3. ↓intake significantly lower
  4.  ↔ no significant change