weight loss due to caloric restriction amy result in muscle loss whereas weight lossu

OK, now lets say from the outset that these are older men not engaged in bodybuilding. Having said that, this study gives a reason to pause and think before using strictly caloric restriction for fat loss.

jb

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J Appl Physiol. 2006 Nov 9; [Epub ahead of print] Links
Lower extremity muscle size and strength and aerobic capacity decrease with caloric restriction but not with exercise-induced weight loss.Weiss EP, Racette SB, Villareal DT, Fontana L, Steger-May K, Schechtman KB, Klein S, Ehsani AA, Holloszy JO.
Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States.

Caloric restriction (CR) results in fat loss; however, it may also result in loss of muscle and thereby reduce strength and aerobic capacity (VO2max). These effects may not occur with exercise-induced weight loss (EX) because of the anabolic effects of exercise on heart and skeletal muscle. We tested the hypothesis that CR reduces muscle size and strength and VO2max while EX preserves or improves these parameters. Healthy 50- to 60-year-old men and women (BMI 23.5-29.9 kg/m(2)) were studied before and after 12 months of weight loss by CR (n=18) or EX (n=16). Lean mass was assessed by DXA, thigh muscle volume by MRI, isometric and isokinetic knee flexor strength by dynamometry, and treadmill VO2max by indirect calorimetry. Both interventions caused significant decreases in body weight (CR: -10.7+/-1.4%, EX: -9.5+/-1.5%) and lean mass (CR: -3.5+/-0.7%, EX: -2.2+/-0.8%), with no significant differences between groups. Significant decreases in thigh muscle volume (-6.9+/-0.8%) and composite knee flexion strength (-7.2+/-3%) occurred in the CR group only. Absolute VO2max decreased significantly in the CR group (-6.8+/-2.3%), whereas the EX group had significant increases in both absolute (+15.5+/-2.4%) and relative (+28.3+/-3.0%) VO2max. These data provide evidence that muscle mass and absolute physical work capacity decrease in response to 12 months of CR, but not in response to a similar weight loss induced by exercise. These findings suggest that during exercise-induced weight loss, the body adapts to maintain or even enhance physical performance capacity. Key words: diet, training, energy deficit, cardiovascular.