Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Comparison of the effects of weight loss from a high-protein versus standard-protein energy-restricted diet on strength and aerobic capacity in overweight and obese men

  • Original Contribution
  • Published:
European Journal of Nutrition Aims and scope Submit manuscript

A Correction to this article was published on 10 September 2020

This article has been updated

Abstract

Purpose

To compare the effects of two low-fat, hypoenergetic diets differing in carbohydrate-to-protein ratio, on strength and aerobic capacity measures in overweight and obese men.

Methods

In a parallel design, 56 men (age, 45.5 ± 8.7 years; BMI, 33.6 ± 3.9 kg/m2) were randomly assigned to a low-fat, energy-restricted diet (7,000 kJ/day) with either high protein (HP: protein/carbohydrate/fat % energy, 35:40:25) or standard protein (SP, 17:58:25). Body weight, body composition, muscle strength and aerobic capacity were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks.

Results

Forty-two participants completed the study (HP, n = 21; SP, n = 21). Both groups experienced similar reductions in body weight (HP, −10.7 ± 5.3 kg [−9.8%]; SP, −8.7 ± 3.5 kg [−8.4%]) and fat-free mass (HP, −2.8 ± 3.6 kg; SP, −3.2 ± 2.7 kg; P < 0.001 time; P > 0.14 time × group interaction). There was a trend for a greater reduction in fat mass in the HP diet group, (−7.7 ± 4.3 kg [−21.2%] vs. −5.4 ± 3.3 kg [−15.1%]; P < 0.001 time; P = 0.06 time × group interaction). Absolute peak oxygen uptake did not change in either group (P = 0.39 time; P = 0.50 time × group interaction). Overall, in both groups, relative peak oxygen uptake increased (2.9 ± 2.8 ml kg−1 min−1 [8.9%]), peak isometric knee extensor strength increased (14.1 ± 35.7 Nm [7.1%]) and peak handgrip strength decreased (−1.6 ± 4.1 kg [−3%]) (P ≤ 0.02 time for all), with no diet effect (P ≤ 0.23 time × group interaction).

Conclusion

In overweight and obese men, both a HP and SP diet reduced body weight and improved body composition with similar effects on strength and aerobic capacity.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Change history

  • 10 September 2020

    The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake.

References

  1. AlZadjali MA, Godfrey V, Khan F, Choy A, Doney AS, Wong AK, Petrie JR, Struthers AD, Lang CC (2009) Insulin resistance is highly prevalent and is associated with reduced exercise tolerance in nondiabetic patients with heart failure. J Am Coll Cardiol 53:747–753

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Atkinson G, Nevill AM (1998) Statistical methods for assessing measurement error (reliability) in variables relevant to sports medicine. Sports Med 26:217–238

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Baba NH, Sawaya S, Torbay N, Habbal Z, Azar S, Hashim SA (1999) High protein vs high carbohydrate hypoenergetic diet for the treatment of obese hyperinsulinemic subjects. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 23:1202–1206

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Baecke JA, Burema J, Frijters JE (1982) A short questionnaire for the measurement of habitual physical activity in epidemiological studies. Am J Clin Nutr 36:936–942

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Bertoli A, Di Daniele N, Ceccobelli M, Ficara A, Girasoli C, De Lorenzo A (2003) Lipid profile, BMI, body fat distribution, and aerobic fitness in men with metabolic syndrome. Acta Diabetol 40(Suppl 1):S130–S133

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Bohannon RW, Peolsson A, Massy-Westropp N, Desrosiers J, Bear-Lehman J (2006) Reference values for adult grip strength measured with a Jamar dynamometer: a descriptive meta-analysis. Physiotherapy 92:11–15

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Brinkworth GD, Noakes M, Clifton PM, Buckley JD (2009) Effects of a low carbohydrate weight loss diet on exercise capacity and tolerance in obese subjects. Obesity (Silver Spring) 17:1916–1923

    Google Scholar 

  8. Bruce RA, Kusumi F, Hosmer D (1973) Maximal oxygen intake and nomographic assessment of functional aerobic impairment in cardiovascular disease. Am Heart J 85:546–562

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Chaston TB, Dixon JB, O’Brien PE (2007) Changes in fat-free mass during significant weight loss: a systematic review. Int J Obes (Lond) 31:743–750

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Clifton PM, Bastiaans K, Keogh JB (2009) High protein diets decrease total and abdominal fat and improve CVD risk profile in overweight and obese men and women with elevated triacylglycerol. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 19:548–554

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Dipla K, Makri M, Zafeiridis A, Soulas D, Tsalouhidou S, Mougios V, Kellis S (2008) An isoenergetic high-protein, moderate-fat diet does not compromise strength and fatigue during resistance exercise in women. Br J Nutr 100:283–286

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Dorin RI, Field JC, Boyle PJ, Eaton RP, Icenogle MV (1996) Insulin resistance limits glucose utilization and exercise tolerance in myophosphorylase deficiency and NIDDM. J Appl Physiol 81:1273–1278

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Farnsworth E, Luscombe ND, Noakes M, Wittert G, Argyiou E, Clifton PM (2003) Effect of a high-protein, energy-restricted diet on body composition, glycemic control, and lipid concentrations in overweight and obese hyperinsulinemic men and women. Am J Clin Nutr 78:31–39

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Fess EE (1992) Grip Strength. In: Casanova JS (ed) Clinical assessment recommendations. American Society of Hand Therapists, Chicago, pp 41–45

    Google Scholar 

  15. Fielding RA, Frontera WR, Hughes VA, Fisher EC, Evans WJ (1997) The reproducibility of the Bruce protocol exercise test for the determination of aerobic capacity in older women. Med Sci Sports Exerc 29:1109–1113

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Fleg JL, Pina IL, Balady GJ, Chaitman BR, Fletcher B, Lavie C, Limacher MC, Stein RA, Williams M, Bazzarre T (2000) Assessment of functional capacity in clinical and research applications: an advisory from the Committee on Exercise, Rehabilitation, and Prevention, Council on Clinical Cardiology, American Heart Association. Circulation 102:1591–1597

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Gellish RL, Goslin BR, Olson RE, McDonald A, Russi GD, Moudgil VK (2007) Longitudinal modeling of the relationship between age and maximal heart rate. Med Sci Sports Exerc 39:822–829

    Google Scholar 

  18. Goodpaster BH, Kelley DE, Wing RR, Meier A, Thaete FL (1999) Effects of weight loss on regional fat distribution and insulin sensitivity in obesity. Diabetes 48:839–847

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Grundy SM, Cleeman JI, Daniels SR, Donato KA, Eckel RH, Franklin BA, Gordon DJ, Krauss RM, Savage PJ, Smith SC Jr, Spertus JA, Costa F (2005) Diagnosis and management of the metabolic syndrome: an American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Scientific Statement. Circulation 112:2735–2752

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Hopkins WG (2000) Measures of reliability in sports medicine and science. Sports Med 30:1–15

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Jarvis M, McNaughton L, Seddon A, Thompson D (2002) The acute 1-week effects of the Zone diet on body composition, blood lipid levels, and performance in recreational endurance athletes. J Strength Cond Res 16:50–57

    Google Scholar 

  22. Jurca R, Lamonte MJ, Church TS, Earnest CP, Fitzgerald SJ, Barlow CE, Jordan AN, Kampert JB, Blair SN (2004) Associations of muscle strength and fitness with metabolic syndrome in men. Med Sci Sports Exerc 36:1301–1307

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Keim NL, Barbieri TF, Van Loan MD, Anderson BL (1990) Energy expenditure and physical performance in overweight women: response to training with and without caloric restriction. Metabolism 39:651–658

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Krieger JW, Sitren HS, Daniels MJ, Langkamp-Henken B (2006) Effects of variation in protein and carbohydrate intake on body mass and composition during energy restriction: a meta-regression 1. Am J Clin Nutr 83:260–274

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Layman DK, Boileau RA, Erickson DJ, Painter JE, Shiue H, Sather C, Christou DD (2003) A reduced ratio of dietary carbohydrate to protein improves body composition and blood lipid profiles during weight loss in adult women. J Nutr 133:411–417

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Layman DK, Shiue H, Sather C, Erickson DJ, Baum J (2003) Increased dietary protein modifies glucose and insulin homeostasis in adult women during weight loss. J Nutr 133:405–410

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Leidy HJ, Carnell NS, Mattes RD, Campbell WW (2007) Higher protein intake preserves lean mass and satiety with weight loss in pre-obese and obese women. Obesity (Silver Spring) 15:421–429

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. McAuley KA, Hopkins CM, Smith KJ, McLay RT, Williams SM, Taylor RW, Mann JI (2005) Comparison of high-fat and high-protein diets with a high-carbohydrate diet in insulin-resistant obese women. Diabetologia 48:8–16

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Molnar D, Porszasz J (1990) The effect of fasting hyperinsulinaemia on physical fitness in obese children. Eur J Pediatr 149:570–573

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Moran LJ, Noakes M, Clifton PM, Tomlinson L, Galletly C, Norman RJ (2003) Dietary composition in restoring reproductive and metabolic physiology in overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 88:812–819

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Noakes M, Keogh JB, Foster PR, Clifton PM (2005) Effect of an energy-restricted, high-protein, low-fat diet relative to a conventional high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet on weight loss, body composition, nutritional status, and markers of cardiovascular health in obese women. Am J Clin Nutr 81:1298–1306

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Philippaerts RM, Westerterp KR, Lefevre J (1999) Doubly labelled water validation of three physical activity questionnaires. Int J Sports Med 20:284–289

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Rantanen T, Guralnik JM, Foley D, Masaki K, Leveille S, Curb JD, White L (1999) Midlife hand grip strength as a predictor of old age disability. JAMA 281:558–560

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Ruiz JR, Sui X, Lobelo F, Morrow JR Jr, Jackson AW, Sjostrom M, Blair SN (2008) Association between muscular strength and mortality in men: prospective cohort study. BMJ 337:a439

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Skov AR, Toubro S, Ronn B, Holm L, Astrup A (1999) Randomized trial on protein vs carbohydrate in ad libitum fat reduced diet for the treatment of obesity. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 23:528–536

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. St Jeor ST, Howard BV, Prewitt TE, Bovee V, Bazzarre T, Eckel RH (2001) Dietary protein and weight reduction: a statement for healthcare professionals from the Nutrition Committee of the Council on Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Metabolism of the American Heart Association. Circulation 104:1869–1874

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Symons TB, Vandervoort AA, Rice CL, Overend TJ, Marsh GD (2005) Reliability of a single-session isokinetic and isometric strength measurement protocol in older men. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 60:114–119

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Thomas SG, Cunningham DA, Rechnitzer PA, Donner AP, Howard JH (1987) Protocols and reliability of maxima oxygen uptake in the elderly. Can J Spt Sci 12:144–151

    Google Scholar 

  39. Thomson RL, Buckley JD, Moran LJ, Noakes M, Clifton PM, Norman RJ, Brinkworth GD (2009) Comparison of aerobic exercise capacity and muscle strength in overweight women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome. BJOG 116:1242–1250

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Tipton KD (2001) Gender differences in protein metabolism. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care 4:493–498

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Tonino RP, Driscoll PA (1988) Reliability of maximal and submaximal parameters of treadmill testing for the measurement of physical training in older persons. J Gerontol 43:M101–M104

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Ugur-Altun B, Altun A, Tatli E, Arikan E, Tugrul A (2004) Relationship between insulin resistance assessed by HOMA-IR and exercise test variables in asymptomatic middle-aged patients with type 2 diabetes. J Endocrinol Invest 27:455–461

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Volpi E, Lucidi P, Bolli GB, Santeusanio F, De Feo P (1998) Gender differences in basal protein kinetics in young adults. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 83:4363–4367

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Wei M, Gibbons LW, Kampert JB, Nichaman MZ, Blair SN (2000) Low cardiorespiratory fitness and physical inactivity as predictors of mortality in men with type 2 diabetes. Ann Intern Med 132:605–611

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Westerterp-Plantenga MS, Lejeune MP, Smeets AJ, Luscombe-Marsh ND (2009) Sex differences in energy homeostatis following a diet relatively high in protein exchanged with carbohydrate, assessed in a respiration chamber in humans. Physiol Behav 97:414–419

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We thank the volunteers who made the study possible through their participation. We gratefully acknowledge Julia Weaver, Anne McGuffin and Kathryn Bastiaans for co-ordinating this trial; Julie Syrette for managing the trial data; Ian Pateyjohns for assisting in the exercise data collection; Jennifer Keogh and Gemma Williams for assisting in delivering of the dietary intervention; Rosemary McArthur for providing nursing expertise; Alison Hill and Kade Davison for conducting the body composition scans. This work was supported with a project grant from Meat and Livestock Australia.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Health Sciences, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia

    Thomas P. Wycherley & Jonathan D. Buckley

  2. Preventative Health Flagship, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Food and Nutritional Sciences, PO Box 10041 BC, Adelaide, 5000, Australia

    Manny Noakes & Grant D. Brinkworth

  3. Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Adelaide, Australia

    Peter M. Clifton

Authors
  1. Thomas P. Wycherley
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jonathan D. Buckley
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Manny Noakes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Peter M. Clifton
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Grant D. Brinkworth
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Grant D. Brinkworth.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Wycherley, T.P., Buckley, J.D., Noakes, M. et al. Comparison of the effects of weight loss from a high-protein versus standard-protein energy-restricted diet on strength and aerobic capacity in overweight and obese men. Eur J Nutr 52, 317–325 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-012-0338-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-012-0338-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation