The Comparison of the Effects between Continuous and Intermittent Energy Restriction in Short-Term Bodyweight Loss for Sedentary Population: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Trial.

Manwen Xu,Ji Li,Yan Zou,Yining Xu

doi:10.3390/ijerph182111645

Abstract

Objective: To compare the effects of continuous energy restriction (CER) and intermittent energy restriction (IER) in bodyweight loss plan in sedentary individuals with normal bodyweight and explore the influence factors of effect and individual retention. Methods: 26 participants were recruited in this randomized controlled and double-blinded trial and allocated to CER and IER groups. Bodyweight (BW), body mass index (BMI), and resting metabolic rate (RMR) would be collected before and after a 4-week (28 days) plan which included energy restriction (CER or IER) and moderate-intensity exercise. Daily intake of three major nutrients (protein, carbohydrate, fat) and calories were recorded. Results: A significant decrease in BW and BMI were reported within each group. No statistically significant difference in the change of RMR in CERG. No statistically significant difference was reported in the effect between groups, neither as well the intake of total calories, three major nutrients, and individual plan retention. The influence factors of IER and CER are different. Conclusion: Both CER and IER are effective and safe energy restriction strategies in the short term. Daily energy intake and physical exercise are important to both IER and CER.

Highlights

Energy restriction is necessary for bodyweight loss plans for athletes who focus on optimizing their body composition such as physique competitors or Olympic weightlifters.To achieve low levels of body fat and keep as much fat-free mass as possible, athletes typically follow 8 to more than 20 weeks of daily diets with energy deficiency in which energy expenditure is increased and caloric expenditure is decreased [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10]
Previous studies have shown that the effects of continuous energy restriction (CER) and intermittent energy restriction (IER) in bodyweight loss plans are similar for professional athletes and sedentary individuals but slightly different in the improvement of body composition
26 participants were included in this trial

Summary

Introduction

Energy restriction is necessary for bodyweight loss plans for athletes who focus on optimizing their body composition such as physique competitors or Olympic weightlifters.To achieve low levels of body fat and keep as much fat-free mass as possible, athletes typically follow 8 to more than 20 weeks of daily diets with energy deficiency in which energy expenditure is increased and caloric expenditure is decreased [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10]. Energy restriction is necessary for bodyweight loss plans for athletes who focus on optimizing their body composition such as physique competitors or Olympic weightlifters. Many different strategies could be used to make daily energy deficiency, among these strategies, continuous energy restriction (CER) and intermittent energy restriction (IER) are wildly used as pre-contest strategies in physique competitors and Olympic weightlifters. Previous studies have shown that the effects of CER and IER in bodyweight loss plans are similar for professional athletes and sedentary individuals but slightly different in the improvement of body composition. A study made by Campbell’s team and published in abstract form investigated the effects of a 2-day refeed in dieting 14 resistance-trained males and 13 resistance-trained females seeking to optimize their physiques [13].

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion