Exercise preserves lean mass and performance during severe energy deficit: the role of exercise volume and dietary protein content

Abstract

The loss of fat-free mass (FFM) caused by very-low-calorie d iets (VLCD) can be attenuated by exercise. The aim of this study was to determin e the role played by exercise and dietary protein content in preserving the lean mass and p erformance of exercised and non-exercised muscles, during a short period of extreme energy deficit ( ∼ 23 MJ deficit/day).