30 Seconds SummaryResearch Spotlight: Calorie restriction and anabolic resistance
- Calorie restriction can shift the body into a catabolic state, affecting muscle and bone growth/retention negatively.
- Study involved young, trained individuals undergoing severe calorie restriction with either carbs or protein after resistance training, compared to a balanced energy intake with carbs.
- All participants performed a barbell squat workout on the third day of their dietary conditions.
- Important hormonal changes included decreased IGF-1, which is linked to muscle growth, and increased sclerostin, negatively impacting bone formation, under calorie-restricted conditions.
- Adding protein or carbs post-exercise did not significantly alter the negative effects of calorie restriction on the hormonal markers tested.
- Despite severe calorie restrictions impacting hormonal markers related to growth, resistance training might reduce some negative effects.
- Recommendations suggest avoiding large caloric deficits and incorporating heavy resistance training to help preserve muscle and bone mass during calorie restriction.
- Further research is needed to develop long-term strategies to counteract anabolic resistance caused by calorie restriction.
Stronger By Science
Eric Trexler
