THE 8 WEEK EFFECTS OF LOW CARBOHYDRATE DIETING VS. VERY LOW CARBOHYDRATE DIETING WITH REFEED ON BODY COMPOSITION
M. SHARP Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 2016 VOLUME 30 | SUPPLEMENT 1 | FEBRUARY | S41
Improvements in body composition are often
deemed as by-products of dieting strategies. One common
strategy is found within the manipulation of carbohydrate
intake. Our laboratory recently investigated the effects of a very
low carbohydrate diet (VLCD) vs. a traditional western diet
combined with resistance training (RT) and found that a VLCD
augmented adaptations in body composition. However, the
comparison of a VLCD and a very low carbohydrate diet with
a refeed (VLCRD) on body composition has not been
observed.
Purpose: This study investigated the 8-week effects
of 2 different very low carbohydrate dieting strategies
on body composition in resistance-trained males.
Methods: Sixteen resistance trained college aged males were randomized
into 2 groups: VLCD and VLCRD. Participants of the
VLCD group consumed a diet consisting of 5% CHO, 25%
PRO, and 70% FAT daily for duration of the study whereas the
VLCRD consumed the same macronutrient profile for the first 5
days of each week with a refeed (50% CHO, 25% PRO, 25%
FAT) on the final 2 days of each week. All participants engaged
in a 5 days per week training protocol that consisted of 3 days
per week periodized RT with 2 days per week of high intensity
interval training.
Results: A significant group 3 time interaction for body composition following the
experimental period was detected (p , 0.002). Post-hoc comparisons
indicated that only the VLCRD group significantly
decreased LBM (p , 0.003, 22.98%, Δ: 22.08 kg). There
were no significant changes in LBM for the VLCD group. However,
only the VLCD group significantly reduced FM (p ,
0.001; 219.6%; Δ: 22.70 kg). There were no significant
changes in FM for the VLCRD group. In addition, an absolute
delta change analysis showed differences between absolute.
changes for decrease LBM in VLCRD group and decreased
FM for VLCD group.
Conclusions: Improvements in body composition appear to be enhanced in a strict VLCD when
compared to a VLCRD when combined with resistance training
after 8 weeks.
Practical Applications: Resistance trained individuals seeking improvements in body composition should
consume a VLCD (5% CHO, 25% PRO, 70% FAT) in conjunction
with periodized resistance training while avoiding a consecutive 2 day refeed (50% CHO, 25% PRO, 25%
FAT) of carbohydrate.