Endurance exercise without weight loss may reduce body fat

A recent study published in the American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism suggests that engaging in high-volume endurance exercise can lead to reductions in body fat without significant weight loss. The research involved a group of middle-aged male recreational cyclists who completed a seven-day cycling challenge, covering approximately 710 miles. Despite efforts to maintain stable body weight through a buffet-style diet, participants experienced a slight weight loss of about 1% and a notable decrease in body fat, including a 14.6% reduction in visceral fat. Additionally, the cyclists showed improvements in metabolic markers, such as lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and a decrease in waist circumference. The findings indicate that promoting physical activity may be more effective for obesity prevention than caloric restriction, especially in environments where high-calorie processed foods are prevalent. The study emphasizes the importance of physical activity in achieving favorable body composition changes, even in the absence of weight loss.

- High-volume endurance exercise can reduce body fat without significant weight loss.

- Participants in the study lost about 1% of body weight and over 9% of overall body fat.

- The cycling group showed improvements in metabolic health markers, including cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

- The study suggests promoting physical activity over caloric restriction for obesity prevention.

- Engaging in regular exercise may lead to beneficial changes in body composition, particularly visceral fat.