Int J Sports Med 2001; 22(4): 310-316
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-13822
Nutrition
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Short-Term Dietary Energy Restriction Reduces Lean Body Mass but Not Performance in Physically Active Men and Women

J. J. Zachwieja, D. M. Ezell, A. D. Cline, J. C. Ricketts, P. C. Vicknair, S. M. Schorle, D. H. Ryan
  • Exercise and Nutrition Program, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2001 (online)

We studied the effect of moderate, short-term energy restriction on physical performance in physically fit men (n = 13) and women (n = 11) in a controlled clinical research setting with a metabolic kitchen, exercise testing laboratory and training facility. The experiment consisted of a 10 d baseline period followed by either 2 wk of dietary energy restriction (750 kcal/d; n = 16) or energy balance (control; n = 8). During this 24 day study, exercise energy expenditure averaged 465 ± 5.7 kcal/d in all subjects and was accomplished through treadmill running at a self-selected pace. Body weight was maintained in the control group (- 0.36 ± 0.24 kg), but energy restriction resulted in weight loss of - 1.29 ± 0.16 kg (p < 0.001). There was a trend for lean body mass to decline more in the energy restriction group (p = 0.093), accounting for 61 % of the weight loss, and urinary nitrogen excretion also tended to be higher in the energy restriction vs. control group (i. e., 13.2 ± 1.1 vs. 11.2 ± 1.0 g/d; p = 0.089). Muscle strength (leg & shoulder press; 1 repetition maximum) was maintained or increased during the energy restriction period. Muscle endurance, assessed by leg squats to fatigue, and 5 mile run time improved following two weeks of energy restriction or balance. Anaerobic capacity (Wingate Test) increased slightly in the restriction (+ 368 ± 219 joules) but declined in the control group 649 ± 288 joules; p<0.05). We conclude that short-term (2 weeks) moderate energy restriction (∼750 kcal/d) results in weight loss but does not impair performance in physically fit young men and women.

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J. J. Zachwieja, Ph. D. 

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