THE EFFECT OF A 5-MONTH SUPERVISED PROGRAM OF PHYSICAL-ACTIVITY ON ANTHROPOMETRIC INDEXES, FAT-FREE MASS, AND RESTING ENERGY-EXPENDITURE INOBESE MALE MILITARY RECRUITS

Studies using mainly dietary restriction have shown that weight loss i s associated with a decrease in fat-free mass (FFM) and resting energy expenditure (REE). The aim of this study was to investigate the effec ts of a weight-loss program relying solely on increased physical activ ity on FFM and REE. Forty-two overweight male military recruits (12 wi th initial body mass index [BMI] between 25.0 and 29.9 kg/m(2), group 1; 14 with BMI between 30.0 and 34.9 kg/m(2). group 2; and 16 with BMI of at least 35 kg/m(2), group 3) completed a 5-month program of super vised physical activity that included both aerobic and muscle-strength ening components. All subjects lost significant amounts of weight (gro up 1, 8.6 kg; group 2, 15.7 kg; group 3, 22.0 kg). This weight loss wa s accompanied by a significant reduction in the waist to hip ratio (WH R) in all groups. FFM was maintained in all groups. REE tended to decl ine in all groups (group 1, from 1,595.0 +/- 46.9 to 1,511.7 +/- 53.2 kcal/d; group 2, from 1,751.4 +/- 56.0 to 1,680.0 +/- 63.1 kcal/d; gro up 3, from 1,901.9 +/- 93.7 to 1,740.0 +/- 67.3 kcal/d), but this decl ine reached statistical significance only when all 42 subjects were co nsidered. REE normalized for FFM did not decrease except in group 1. F urthermore, differences between the slopes and intercepts of the regre ssion lines relating REE with FFM before and at completion of the 5-mo nth program were not statistically significant, suggesting that the re lationship between REE and FFM was maintained after weight loss. We ha ve shown that weight reduction in young male military recruits by mean s of a program of physical activity can preserve FFM, as well as atten uate the decline in REE. Copyright (C) 1994 by W.B. Saunders Company