Caloric restriction with or without exercise: The fitness versus fatness debate

D. Enette Larson-Meyer, Leanne Redman, Leonie Heilbronn, Corby K. Martin, Eric Ravussin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

88 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

There is a debate over the independent effects of aerobic fitness and body fatness on mortality and disease risks. PURPOSE: To determine whether a 25% energy deficit that produces equal change in body fatness leads to greater cardiometabolic benefits when aerobic exercise is included. METHODS: Thirty-six overweight participants (16 males/20 females) (39 ± 1 yr; 82 ± 2 kg; body mass index = 27.8 ± 0.3 kg•m, mean ± SEM) were randomized to one of three groups (n = 12 for each) for a 6-month intervention: control (CO, weight-maintenance diet), caloric restriction (CR, 25% reduction in energy intake), or caloric restriction plus aerobic exercise (CR + EX, 12.5% reduction in energy intake plus 12.5% increase in exercise energy expenditure). Food was provided during weeks 1-12 and 22-24. Changes in fat mass, visceral fat, V̇O2peak (graded treadmill test), muscular strength (isokinetic knee extension/flexion), blood lipids, blood pressure, and insulin sensitivity/secretion were compared. RESULTS: As expected, V̇O2peak was significantly improved after 6 months of intervention in CR + EX only (22 ± 5% vs 7 ± 5% in CR and-5 ± 3% in CO), whereas isokinetic muscular strength did not change. There was no difference in the losses of weight, fat mass, or visceral fat and changes in systolic blood pressure (BP) between the intervention groups. However, only CR + EX had a significant decrease in diastolic BP (-5 ± 3% vs-2 ± 2% in CR and-1 ± 2% in CO), in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (-13 ± 4% vs-6 ± 3% in CR and 2 ± 4% in CO), and a significant increase in insulin sensitivity (66 ± 22% vs 40 ± 20% in CR and 1 ± 11% in CO). CONCLUSIONS: Despite similar effect on fat losses, combining CR with exercise increased aerobic fitness in parallel with improved insulin sensitivity, LDL cholesterol, and diastolic BP. The results lend support for inclusion of an exercise component in weight loss programs to improve metabolic fitness.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)152-159
Number of pages8
JournalMedicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
Volume42
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished or Issued - Jan 2010

Keywords

  • Blood lipids
  • Blood pressure
  • Energy restriction
  • Exercise training
  • Maximal aerobic fitness

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
  • Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation

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