Effects of Weight Loss on Lean Mass, Strength, Bone, and Aerobic Capacity
Open accessAbstract
PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the hypothesis that exercise attenuates the reductions in lean mass, muscle strength, bone mineral density, and V˙O2max that accompany modest weight loss induced by calorie restriction (CR). METHODS: Overweight, sedentary women and men (n = 52, 45-65 yr) were randomized to 6%-8% weight loss by using CR, endurance exercise training (EX), or both (CREX). The CR and the CREX groups underwent counseling to reduce energy intake by 20% and 10%, respectively. The EX and the CREX groups exercised 7.4 ± 0.5 and 4.4 ± 0.5 h·wk, respectively. Before and after 16.8 ± 1.1 wk of weight loss, lean mass and bone mineral density were measured with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, strength was measured with dynamometry, and aerobic capacity (V˙O2max) was measured with indirect calorimetry during maximal-intensity treadmill exercise. RESULTS: Weight loss was ~7% in all groups. Decreases in whole-body (~2%, P = 0.003) and lower extremity (~4%, P < 0.0001) lean mass occurred in the CR group (both P < 0.05). Despite similar weight loss, these reductions were attenuated in the CREX group (~1%, P = 0.44 and ~2%, P = 0.05, respectively) and absent in the EX group. Absolute aerobic capacity decreased ~6% in the CR group (P = 0.04), was unchanged in the CREX group (P = 0.28), and increased ~15% in the EX group (P < 0.0001). No changes in muscle strength or bone were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Modest weight loss (~7%) induced by 20% CR in overweight women and men decreases lean mass and reduces absolute V˙O2max. Exercise protects against these effects. Although the CR-induced changes might be considered physiologically appropriate for a reduced body weight, exercise preserves and/or improves these parameters during weight loss, which likely improves physical function. These findings support the notion of using exercise as an important component of weight loss programs.
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In Weiss et al., despite similar absolute weight loss of about 7%, the percentage of weight lost as lean mass was greatest with caloric restriction alone, lower when exercise was added, and virtually absent with exercise alone.
“Despite achieving similar absolute weight loss (~7% of baseline weight) the percentage of weight lost as LM was greatest in the caloric restriction group (2% of baseline LM, 18% of total weight lost), less when exercise was added to caloric restriction (1% of baseline LM; 6% of total weight lost), and virtually non-existent in the exercise only group (<1% of baseline LM; 2% of total weight lost).”
From <scp>G</scp> <scp>LP1Ra</scp> ‐based therapies and <scp>DXA</scp> ‐acquired musculoskeletal health outcomes: a focused meta‐analysis of placebo‐controlled trials (2025) · cites this paper as [26]
The Results (page unavailable) report about 7% weight loss in all three groups, with whole-body lean-mass loss of about 2% under caloric restriction, about 1% with restriction plus exercise, and no detected loss with exercise alone. These findings support the claimed ordering, but the passages do not report the cited proportions of total weight lost as lean mass (18%, 6%, and 2%). (LLM, conf=0.82)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredIn a 2017 study by Weiss et al., 50 middle-aged adults were randomized to achieve 6-8% weight loss over four months through caloric restriction, exercise, or their combination.
“To illustrate, a 2017 publication by Weiss et al. (26), randomized 50 middle-aged adults to achieve 6-8% weight loss over a four-month period via caloric restriction, exercise, or their combination.”
From <scp>G</scp> <scp>LP1Ra</scp> ‐based therapies and <scp>DXA</scp> ‐acquired musculoskeletal health outcomes: a focused meta‐analysis of placebo‐controlled trials (2025) · cites this paper as [26]
The Abstract Methods describe adults aged 45–65 assigned to a 6–8% weight-loss goal through calorie restriction, exercise, or both, with measurements about 17 weeks apart. However, Results > Participants says 69 participants were randomly allocated and 52 completed the study and complied with the interventions; it does not support the claim that 50 were randomized. (LLM, conf=0.90)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredIn adults aged 45-65 years, calorie restriction caused about a 4% loss of lean mass, and adding aerobic activity reduced that loss to about 2%.
“Weight loss in younger adults (age 45–65 years) led to loss of lean mass after calorie restriction (4% reduction in lean mass; P < 0.0001), which was partially lessened by augmentation with aerobic activity (2% reduction in lean mass in participants who had augmented weight loss with aerobic activity; P = 0.05)311.”
From Sarcopenic obesity in older adults: aetiology, epidemiology and treatment strategies (2018) · cites this paper as [311]
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References 38 · Cited by 169
Research works printed but not linked: 1
- [15]Institute of Medicine, Food Nutrition Board Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids (Macronutrients) Washington D.C. The National Academies Press 2005
- Authors
- WEISS, E. P., JORDAN, R. C., FRESE, E. M., ALBERT, S. G., & VILLAREAL, D. T.
- Affiliations
- Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (US)
- Venue
- Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise
- Published
- 2017-01
- Volume
- 49
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 206-217
- ISSN
- 0195-9131 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC5161655
- OpenAlex
- W2512953786
- Cited by
- 169
- References
- 38
- Citations by year
- 2026: 34 · 2025: 29 · 2024: 23 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 19 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 8
- FWCI
- 19.21
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health (UL1TR000448)
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (K01DK080886, P30DK056341, P30DK020579)
- National Center for Research Resources (UL1RR024992)
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Nutrition and Health in Aging
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
- Keywords
- weight loss, caloric restriction, endurance training, lean body mass, muscle strength, bone mineral density, cardiorespiratory fitness, overweight adults, physical function
- MeSH terms
- Aged, Energy Metabolism, Exercise Therapy, Humans, Middle Aged, Oxygen Consumption, Weight Loss, Bone Density, Body Mass Index, Caloric Restriction, Overweight, Muscle Strength, Physical Conditioning, Human
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