Aspiring female physique athletes are often encouraged to ingest relatively high levels of dietary protein in conjunction with their resistance training programs. However, there is little to no research investigating higher versus lower protein intakes in this population. This study examined the influence of a high versus low-protein diet in conjunction with an 8-week resistance training program in this population. A total of 17 females (21.2 ± 2.1 years; 165.1 ± 5.1 cm; 61 ± 6.1 kg) were randomly assigned to a high-protein diet (HP: 2.5 g·kg·day; n = 8) or a low-protein diet (LP: 0.9 g·kg·day, n = 9) and were assessed for body composition and maximal strength prior to and after the 8-week protein intake and exercise intervention. Fat-free mass increased significantly more in the HP group as compared with the LP group (p = .009), going from 47.1 ± 4.5 to 49.2 ± 5.4 kg (+2.1 kg) and from 48.1 ± 2.7 to 48.7 ± 2 kg (+0.6 kg) in the HP and LP groups, respectively. Fat mass significantly decreased over time in the HP group (14.1 ± 3.6 to 13.0 ± 3.3 kg; p < .01), but no change was observed in the LP group (13.2 ± 3.7 to 12.5 ± 3.0 kg). Although maximal strength significantly increased in both groups, there were no differences in strength improvements between the two groups. In aspiring female physique athletes, a higher protein diet is superior to a lower protein diet in terms of increasing fat-free mass in conjunction with a resistance training program.
Background The purpose of this study was to compare a flexible vs. rigid diet on weight loss and subsequent weight regain in resistance-trained (RT) participants in a randomized, parallel group design. Methods Twenty-three males and females (25.6 ± 6.1 yrs; 170 ± 8.1 cm; 75.4 ± 10.3 kg) completed the 20-week intervention (consisting of a 10-week diet phase and a 10-week post-diet phase). Participants were randomized to a flexible diet (FLEX) comprised of non-specific foods or a rigid diet (RIGID) comprised of specific foods. Participants adhered to an ~20%kcal reduction during the first 10-weeks of the intervention and were instructed to eat ad libitum for the final 10-weeks. Body composition and resting metabolic rate were assessed 5 times: (baseline, 5, 10 [end of diet phase], 16, and 20 weeks). Results During the 10-week diet phase, both groups significantly reduced bodyweight (FLEX: baseline = 76.1 ± 8.4kg, post-diet = 73.5 ± 8.8 kg, ▲2.6 kg; RIGID: baseline = 74.9 ± 12.2 kg, post-diet = 71.9 ± 11.7 kg, ▲3.0 kg, p < 0.001); fat mass (FLEX: baseline = 14.8 ± 5.7 kg, post-diet = 12.5 ± 5.0 kg, ▲2.3 kg; RIGID: baseline = 18.1 ± 6.2 kg, post-diet = 14.9 ± 6.5 kg, ▲3.2 kg p < 0.001) and body fat% (FLEX: baseline = 19.4 ± 8.5%, post-diet = 17.0 ± 7.1%, ▲2.4%; RIGID: baseline = 24.0 ± 6.2%, post-diet = 20.7 ± 7.1%, ▲3.3%; p < 0.001). There were no significant differences between the two groups for any variable during the diet phase. During the post-diet phase, a significant diet x time interaction (p < 0.001) was observed for FFM with the FLEX group gaining a greater amount of FFM (+1.7 kg) in comparison with the RIGID group (−0.7 kg). Conclusions A flexible or rigid diet strategy is equally effective for weight loss during a caloric restriction diet in free-living, RT individuals. While post-diet FFM gains were greater in the FLEX group, there were no significant differences in the amount of time spent in resistance and aerobic exercise modes nor were there any significant differences in protein and total caloric intakes between the two diet groups. In the absence of a clear physiological rationale for increases in FFM, in addition to the lack of a standardized diet during the post-diet phase, we refrain from attributing the increases in FFM in the FLEX group to their diet assignment during the diet phase of the investigation. We recommend future research investigate additional physiological and psychological effects of flexible diets and weight regain in lean individuals.
Background Antioxidant supplementation may provide protection against negative health consequences of oxygen-free radicals caused by aerobic and re-sustained exercise. The aim is to find out the efficacy of antioxidant rich nutrient bar supplementation on the antioxidant status and physical fitness components of athletes. Method Forty track and field athletes were selected using convenience sampling technique. The Human Research Ethics Committee of PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore approved the study. Voluntary participation of the subjects was emphasized and a written consent was obtained from them in order to be included in the study. An interview schedule was formulated to collect general information such as name, age, gender, and academic qualifications, as well as information pertaining to the types of sporting activity, duration of the activity per day, number of years involved in the respective sports and level of participation (district/state/national). Nutrient bars each weighing 50gm were prepared with rolled oats, pumpkin seeds, dehydrated carrots, flax seeds, peanuts, almonds, honey and date syrup as ingredients. Each athlete was provided with two bars containing 110 mg of antioxidant. The prepared bars were analyzed for their total anti-oxidant content using DPPH method. The experimental group (n = 20) was supplemented with the formulated nutrient bars every day for a period of 3 months, and the control group (n = 20) with a placebo. Bio-chemical parameters namely GSH, GSH-px, SOD, vitamin C, serum LPO and physical fitness tests such as 12 minutes test, speed test, step test, push-ups test, vertical jump test and hexagon agility test were assessed at baseline and after 90 days. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (version 15). ResultsThe mean age was 18 ± 3.2 yrs. Sixty percent of the selected athletes were males and 40 % females. The main source of nutrition information was from coaches (56 %) and magazines (30 %). The athletes of the experimental group, when compared with the control group, showed a significant increase in serum levels from 37.42 ± 12.01 units/min/ml to 42.08 ± 13.16 units/min/ml of SOD (p = 0.000). LPO increased from 2.89 ± 0.82 μg/ml to 3.80 ± 1.37 μg/ml (p = 0.005), GSH increased from 209.76 ± 8.17 μg/ml to 244.58 ± 33.36 μg/ml (p = 0.000). The mean levels of vitamin C and GSH-px decreased minimally in the experimental group but significantly in the control group. Significant improvement in all six physical fitness tests namely 12 minutes test (from 1.44 ± 0.142 to 1.56 ± 0.134) , speed test (from 6.5940 ± 0.258 to 6.7435 ± 0.25) step test (from 68.65 ± 5.51 to 78.35 ± 4.004) push-ups (from 22.25 ± 3.97 to 29.70 ± 3.40), vertical jumps test (from 60.00 ± 5.620 to 63.75 ± 6.043) and hexagon agility tests (from 12.255 ± 0.42 to 12.400 ± 0.51) were observed in the experimental group). However in the control group, the improvements were significant only in the 12 minutes test, step test and speed test. Conclusion Supplementation of athletes with antioxidant-rich...
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