Does the energy expenditure associated with training influence reduced adiposity in practitioners of exercise? Data...

Meta-analyses have shown modest weight loss with physical training. Low training load can be one possible cause, however this has not yet been investigated. This cross-sectional study investigated the correlation between training load parameters and the body composition of 335 individuals engaged in exercise (47.9 ± 12.7 years, 138 males). Data on exercise frequency, intensity, duration, and body composition were collected. Men showed significantly higher energy expenditure during training (632.5, 95% CI: 560.0 - 704.5) compared to women (280.4, 95% CI: 253.9- 306.8). Greater energy expenditure was inversely correlated with lower body mass index (r=-0.23; p<0.05), body fat percentage (BF%) (r=-0.53; p<0.05), fat mass (r=-0.37; p<0.05), waist-to-hip ratio (r= -0.31; p<0.05), and visceral fat (r=-0.38; p<0.05) in both sexes. Significant correlations persisted when considering confounding factors among men, except for skeletal muscle mass. For women, only BF% and skeletal muscle mass correlations remained. Linear regression analysis indicated that to attain a BF% below 20%, individuals needed to expend 9.07 kcal/kg per training session in seven weekly sessions (r2= 0.33); however, only 15.2% of the participants met this energy demand. Thus, an adequate maintenance of adequate body fat levels appears to be dependent on individuals with a high energy expenditure during training, without significant reliance on other influencing factors.