Abstract
As with any weight loss program, losing fat while maintaining muscle is a desirable outcome. We sought to determine how different types of habitual activity influenced the retention of muscle mass with a decrease in body fat. PURPOSE: As a preliminary analysis to guide future research, the purpose of this study was to determine whether self-reported frequency of aerobic, strength, and stretching exercise (days per week) associates with body composition changes in response to weight loss in overweight and obese adults. METHODS: Adults (n=23), 18-70 years old with a minimum waist circumference of 35 inches for women and 40 inches for men participated in an 8-week study diet intervention. Participants were asked to maintain habitual physical activity during the intervention. All participants reported their habitual exercise frequency for aerobic, strength, and stretching activities within a typical 7-day period. Body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis (mBCA). After post testing, correlations (nonparametric, Spearman) between days reported for each activity and changes in body mass, percent body fat, visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and muscle mass were determined in participants who had a reduction in body mass during the intervention. RESULTS: The average number of days per week reported for each activity was 4.3 for aerobic, 1.8 for strength, and 3.3 for stretching. Change in body mass pre to post intervention was from 94.6 + 22.3 kg to 92.9 + 21.4 kg. The range in change for muscle mass was from -2.31 kg to +1.1 kg. There was a correlation (r = 0.603, p = 0.029) between days per week of aerobic activity and change in muscle mass. CONCLUSIONS: While all individuals of the analysis lost some weight during the intervention, some of them lost and some of them gained muscle mass. Individuals who reported more days of aerobic activity per week as their habitual activity level were more likely to retain muscle mass. Supported by the USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council
Published Version
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