Intermittent fasting compromises the performance of eutrophic rats submitted to resistance training

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Nutritional Science
• Animal Models

Background:

• Intermittent fasting (IF) is a popular dietary strategy with potential health benefits.
• The impact of IF on exercise performance, particularly resistance training, requires further investigation.
• Understanding these effects is crucial for optimizing training and nutritional plans.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the effects of intermittent fasting (IF) on the performance of rats undergoing resistance training ladder climbs (RTLCs).

Main Methods:

• Thirty-two Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control, IF, trained control (TC), and trained intermittent fasting (TIF).
• The IF groups underwent 16-hour fasting daily.
• Training groups completed 6 weeks of RTLCs, with maximal load tests (MLT) conducted before and after the training period.

Main Results:

• Trained control rats exhibited the highest load-bearing capacity during the final MLT.
• Both TC and TIF groups showed significant improvements in MLT performance from pre- to post-training.
• The TIF group displayed a higher relative stomach weight and reduced food intake compared to control groups.

Conclusions:

• Intermittent fasting negatively impacted RTLC performance in rats.
• The combination of IF and RTLC led to increased relative stomach weight and decreased food intake, potentially indicating stomach dilation.
• These findings suggest that IF may not be optimal for enhancing resistance training outcomes.