Energy deficiency impairs resistance training gains in lean mass but not strength: a meta-analysis and meta-regression

Murphy, Chaise; Koehler, Karsten

doi:10.1111/sms.14075

Cited by 63

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Energy deficiency impairs resistance training gains in lean mass but not strength: a meta-analysis and meta-regression

Murphy, Chaise, Koehler, Karsten·2022·Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports

DOI 10.1111/sms.14075

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Abstract

Short‐term energy deficits impair anabolic hormones and muscle protein synthesis. However, the effects of prolonged energy deficits on resistance training (RT) outcomes remain unexplored. Thus, we conducted a systematic review of PubMed and SportDiscus for randomized controlled trials performing RT in an energy deficit (RT+ED) for ≥3 weeks. We first divided the literature into studies with a parallel control group without an energy deficit (RT+CON; Analysis A) and studies without RT+CON (Analysis B). Analysis A consisted of a meta‐analysis comparing gains in lean mass (LM) and strength between RT+ED and RT+CON. Studies in Analysis B were matched with separate RT+CON studies for participant and intervention characteristics, and we qualitatively compared the gains in LM and strength between RT+ED and RT+CON. Finally, Analyses A and B were pooled into a meta‐regression examining the relationship between the magnitude of the energy deficit and LM. Analysis A showed LM gains were impaired in RT+ED vs RT+CON (effect size (ES) = −0.57, p = 0.02), but strength gains were comparable between conditions (ES = −0.31, p = 0.28). Analysis B supports the impairment of LM in RT+ED (ES: −0.11, p = 0.03) vs RT+CON (ES: 0.20, p < 0.001) but not strength (RT+ED ES: 0.84; RT+CON ES: 0.81). Finally, our meta‐regression demonstrated that an energy deficit of ~500 kcal · day−1 prevented gains in LM. Individuals performing RT to build LM should avoid prolonged energy deficiency, and individuals performing RT to preserve LM during weight loss should avoid energy deficits >500 kcal day−1.

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A systematic review and meta-analysis by Murphy and Koehler found that energy deficits at or beyond 500 kcal/day can impair lean mass gains in subjects undergoing resistance training.
“Corroborating this point, a systematic review and meta-analysis by Murphy and Koehler [87] examined RCTs with a minimum 3-week duration; and found that energy deficits at or beyond 500 kcal/day can impair lean mass gains in subjects undergoing resistance training.”
From International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: diets for body weight reduction (2026) · cites this paper as [87]

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Authors: Murphy, C., & Koehler, K.
Affiliations: Department of Sport and Health Sciences Technical University of Munich Munich Germany
ORCID: Murphy, Chaise
Koehler, Karsten
Venue: Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports
Publisher: Wiley
Published: 2021-10-13
Volume: 32
Issue: 1
Pages: 125-137
ISSN: 0905-7188
1600-0838
DOI: 10.1111/sms.14075
Cited by: 63
References: 15
Language: en
Licence: creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ (vor)

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Energy deficiency impairs resistance training gains in lean mass but not strength: a meta-analysis and meta-regression

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