A Randomized Trial of Healthy Weight Gain in Athletic Individuals.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the outcomes of a 10-wk diet and exercise regimen designed to promote healthy weight gain with excess energy from peanut-containing or high-carbohydrate foods. METHODS: Nineteen male and 13 female athletes were randomly assigned to receive an additional 500 kcal·d -1 above typical intake through provision of either peanut-based whole foods/snacks (PNT group) or a similar, high-carbohydrate, peanut-free snack (CHO group) along with supervised, whole-body RT (3 d·wk -1 for 60-120 min). Body composition was assessed by dual-energyx-ray absorptiometry at baseline and postintervention. RESULTS: Total body mass (TBM) increased 2.2 ± 1.3 kg with 1.5 ± 1.1 kg as LBM after week 10. The PNT group ( n = 16; 27 ± 7 yr; 10 men, 6 women) gained less TBM than the CHO group ( n = 16; 23 ± 3 yr; 9 men, 7 women) (1.6 ± 1.1 kg vs 2.7 ± 1.2 kg, respectively, P = 0.007) with no differences in LBM (1.2 ± 1.1 kg vs 1.9 ± 1.0 kg, P = 0.136). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the addition of 500 kcal·d -1 from whole foods/snacks in combination with a rigorous RT program promotes a similar weight gain of ~0.22 kg·wk -1 , primarily as LBM, over 10 wk in both male and female athletes. However, snack macronutrient content may impact the effectiveness of this regimen.

Metabolic and body composition changes in first year following traumatic amputation.

Body composition and metabolism may change considerably after traumatic amputation because of muscle atrophy and an increase in adiposity. The purpose of this study was to quantify changes in weight, body composition, and metabolic rate during the first year following traumatic amputation in military servicemembers. Servicemembers without amputation were included for comparison. Participants were measured within the first 12 wk after amputation (baseline) and at 6, 9, and 12 mo after amputation. Muscle mass, fat mass, weight, and metabolic rate were measured at each time point. There was a significant increase in weight and body mass index in the unilateral group between baseline and all follow-up visits (p < 0.01). Over the 12 mo period, total fat mass and trunk fat mass increased in both unilateral and bilateral groups; however, these changes were not statistically significant over time. Muscle mass increased in both the unilateral and bilateral group despite percent of lean mass decreasing. No changes in resting metabolism or walking energy expenditure were observed in any group. The results of this study conclude that weight significantly increased because of an increase in both fat mass and muscle mass in the first year following unilateral and bilateral amputation.