Effect of Dietary Protein Intake on Body Composition Changes During Intense Training in an Energy Deficit

Abstract

<p>Higher dietary protein intake, greater than the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA; 0.8 g protein/kg/d), coupled with resistive exercise has been shown to aid in preservation of muscle mass during hypocaloric diet-induced weight loss. We examined the impact of dietary protein supplementation at two levels (1.2 and 2.4 g/kg/d) on body composition during a 4wk hypocaloric dietary intervention that included 6d/wk of high intensity resistance exercise and interval training. In a single blind study, forty young men consumed 33±1.1 kcal/LBM (~40% reduction versus estimated energy requirements), and were randomly assigned to a group that consumed either 1.2g/kg/d protein or 2.4g/kg/d. Body composition was determined using DXA, Bod Pod, and Bio-impedance pre- and post-intervention to derive a 4-compartment model for body composition. Both groups retained lean mass (LM), but retention was greater in the higher protein group (p</p>