Energy balance
Intensive weight loss via energy restriction and increased aerobic exercise induces adaptive thermogenesis (reduced resting energy expenditure beyond mass loss predictions) in both male and female physique athletes.
If you are cutting weight for a competition, expect your metabolism to slow down more than your weight loss would predict. This is a normal biological response called adaptive thermogenesis. It is driven by the energy deficit and increased exercise volume. The good news is that this adaptation is temporary and reverses during recovery.
Weight loss, decreased energy intake, and increased aerobic exercise (p<0.05) led to decreased LM and FM-adjusted REE (p<0.05), reflecting metabolic adaptation.
Why this rating
Randomized controlled trial design with control group, though sample size is moderate (n=23 competitors).
Source
Weight loss induces changes in adaptive thermogenesis in female and male physique athletes
Ville Isola et al. · Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism · 2023
DOI 10.1139/apnm-2022-0372
More from this paper
- Male physique athletes lose significantly more lean mass than female athletes during competition preparation, despite similar reductions in fat mass and muscle size.Good
- Adaptive thermogenesis is associated with significant hormonal changes, specifically decreased leptin and T3, and reduced resting heart rate.Good
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