Continuous versus Intermittent Dieting for Fat Loss and Fat-Free Mass Retention in Resistance-trained Adults: The ICECAP Trial

Introduction Can intermittent energy restriction (IER) improve fat loss and fat-free mass retention compared with continuous (CER) in resistance-trained adults? Methods Sixty-one adults (32 women) a mean (SD) age of 28.7 (6.5) yr, body weight 77.2 (16.1) kg, 25.5% (6.1%) were randomized to 12 wk 1) 4 × 3 moderate (m) interspersed 1 balance (mIER; n = 30; 15 total) or 2) (mCER; 31). Analyses all outcome measures by intention-to-treat. Results After accounting for baseline differences, mIER did not result lower weight, greater mass, mCER after restriction. Mean (and 97.5% confidence interval at the end versus was 15.3 (12.5–18.0) kg 18.0 (14.3–21.7) (P 0.321), that 56.7 (51.5–61.9) (51.4–62.0) 0.309), (with 95% interval) 72.1 (66.4–77.9) 74.6 (69.3–80.0) 0.283). There no differences between interventions muscle strength endurance resting expenditure, leptin, testosterone, insulin-like growth factor-1, free 3,3′,5-triiodothyronine active ghrelin, sleep, dysmorphia, eating disorder behaviors. However, participants exhibited hunger 0.002) desire eat 0.014) those mCER, satisfaction 0.016) peptide YY 0.034). Conclusions Similar are achieved during restriction; however, is associated reduced appetite.