title: A time-efficient reduction of fat mass in 4 days with exercise and caloric restriction.
abstract: To determine whether a fast reduction in fat mass can be achieved in 4 days by combining caloric restriction (CR: 3.2 kcal/kg body weight per day) with exercise (8-h walking + 45-min arm cranking per day) to induce an energy deficit of ∼5000 kcal/day, 15 overweight men underwent five experimental phases: pretest, exercise + CR for 4 days (WCR), control diet + reduced exercise for 3 days (DIET), and follow-up 4 weeks (POST1) and 1 year later (POST2). During WCR, the diet consisted solely of whey protein (n = 8) or sucrose (n = 7) (0.8 g/kg body weight per day). After WCR, DIET, POST1, and POST2, fat mass was reduced by a mean of 2.1, 2.8, 3.8, and 1.9 kg (P < 0.05), with two thirds of this loss from the trunk; and lean mass by 2.8, 1.0, 0.5, and 0.4 kg, respectively. After WCR, serum glucose, insulin, homeostatic model assessment, total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides were reduced, and free fatty acid and cortisol increased. Serum leptin was reduced by 64%, 50%, and 33% following WCR, DIET, and POST1, respectively (P < 0.05). The effects were similar in both groups. In conclusion, a clinically relevant reduction in fat mass can be achieved in overweight men in just 4 days by combining prolonged exercise with CR.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain; Instituto Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Sanitarias de la Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain.
authors.forename: J A L
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Calbet
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Ponce-González
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pérez-Suárez
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: de la Calle Herrero
authors.forename: H-C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Holmberg
mesh_terms: D050154:Adiposity; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D031204:Caloric Restriction / Q000379:methods*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D050177:Overweight / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers
keywords: Obesity; hypocaloric diet; sucrose; walking; whey protein