Cited by 474Muscle metabolism and nutritionObesity, Physical Activity, DietRegulation of Appetite and Obesity

The role of diet and exercise for the maintenance of fat-free mass and resting metabolic rate during weight loss

Stiegler, Petra, Cunliffe, Adam·2006·Sports Medicine

Abstract

The incidence of obesity is increasing rapidly. Research efforts for effective treatment strategies still focus on diet and exercise programmes, the individual components of which have been investigated in intervention trials in order to determine the most effective recommendations for sustained changes in bodyweight. The foremost objective of a weight-loss trial has to be the reduction in body fat leading to a decrease in risk factors for metabolic syndrome. However, a concomitant decline in lean tissue can frequently be observed. Given that fat-free mass (FFM) represents a key determinant of the magnitude of resting metabolic rate (RMR), it follows that a decrease in lean tissue could hinder the progress of weight loss. Therefore, with respect to long-term effectiveness of weight-loss programmes, the loss of fat mass while maintaining FFM and RMR seems desirable. Diet intervention studies suggest spontaneous losses in bodyweight following low-fat diets, and current data on a reduction of the carbohydrate-to-protein ratio of the diet show promising outcomes. Exercise training is associated with an increase in energy expenditure, thus promoting changes in body composition and bodyweight while keeping dietary intake constant. The advantages of strength training may have greater implications than initially proposed with respect to decreasing percentage body fat and sustaining FFM. Research to date suggests that the addition of exercise programmes to dietary restriction can promote more favourable changes in body composition than diet or physical activity on its own. Moreover, recent research indicates that the macronutrient content of the energy-restricted diet may influence body compositional alterations following exercise regimens. Protein emerges as an important factor for the maintenance of or increase in FFM induced by exercise training. Changes in RMR can only partly be accounted for by alterations in respiring tissues, and other yet-undefined mechanisms have to be explored. These outcomes provide the scientific rationale to justify further randomised intervention trials on the synergies between diet and exercise approaches to yield favourable modifications in body composition.

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Crossref · 10.2165/00007256-200636030-00005

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Authors
Stiegler, P., & Cunliffe, A.
Affiliations
University of Westminster (GB)
Corresponding author
Stiegler, Petra
Venue
Sports Medicine
Published
2006
Volume
36
Issue
3
Pages
239-262
ISSN
0112-1642 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2087948696
Cited by
474
References
147
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 23 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 20 · 2022: 31 · 2021: 27 · 2020: 28 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 20 · 2017: 34 · 2016: 25 · 2015: 33 · 2014: 30 · 2013: 28 · 2012: 30
FWCI
1.44
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Sports Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Regulation of Appetite and Obesity
Keywords
weight loss, fat-free mass, resting metabolic rate, diet, exercise training, resistance training, caloric restriction, low-fat diet, protein-carbohydrate ratio, protein intake, body composition, obesity, metabolic syndrome, energy expenditure
MeSH terms
Adaptation, Physiological, Adult, Basal Metabolism, Body Composition, Diet, Energy Metabolism, Female, United Kingdom, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Weight Loss, Exercise, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

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