Aerobic exercise attenuates the loss of skeletal muscle during energy restriction in adults with visceral adiposity

Obes Facts. 2014;7(1):26-35. doi: 10.1159/000358576. Epub 2014 Jan 23.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effects of energy restriction with or without aerobic exercise on thigh muscle mass and quality in adults with visceral adiposity.

Methods: 75 males and females were randomly assigned to the groups 'diet only' (DO; n = 42) or 'diet plus aerobic exercise' (D/Ex; n = 33) for 12 weeks. The target energy intake in both groups was 25 kcal/kg of ideal body weight. Subjects in the D/Ex group were instructed to exercise for ≥300 min/week at lactate threshold. Computed tomography was used to measure thigh muscle cross-sectional area (CSA), normal-density muscle area (NDMA), and visceral fat area.

Results: Total body weight (DO: -6.6 ± 3.6%; D/Ex: -7.3 ± 4.6%) and visceral fat (DO: -16.0 ± 13.8%; D/Ex: -23.1 ± 14.7%) decreased significantly in both groups; however, the changes were not significantly different between the two groups. The decrease in muscle CSA was significantly greater in the DO group (-5.1 ± 4.5%) compared with the D/Ex group (-2.5 ± 5.0%). NDMA decreased significantly in the DO (-4.9 ± 4.9%) but not in the D/Ex group (-1.4 ± 5.0%).

Conclusion: Aerobic exercise attenuated the loss of skeletal muscle during energy restriction in adults with visceral adiposity.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adiposity
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Body Mass Index
  • Caloric Restriction*
  • Diet, Reducing
  • Energy Intake / physiology*
  • Exercise / physiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intra-Abdominal Fat / metabolism
  • Intra-Abdominal Fat / physiology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiology*
  • Obesity / diet therapy*
  • Obesity, Abdominal / diet therapy
  • Weight Loss / physiology*