Exercise-Induced Metabolic Compensation; a Physiological Adaptive Response to Exercise Training
Exercise-Induced Metabolic Compensation; a Physiological Adaptive Response to Exercise Training
The primary aim of this proposal is to identify changes in the volume of highly metabolic
 organs (liver, kidneys, and brain) that occur as a physiological adaptation to exercise
 training and lower the resting energy expenditure. Secondary aims are to identify changes in
 the metabolic efficiency of muscle in low levels of physical activity and evaluate the
 effects on components of total daily energy expenditure including the sleeping metabolic rate
 (SMR) and diet induced thermogenesis (DIT).
Using a clinical trial type protocol, 16 overweight (body mass index: 25-30 kg/m2) men (n=8)
 and women (n=8) aged 21 to 45 years will exercise for 3 months in a moderate intensity
 regimen of 20 kcal/week/kg body weight that reflects current recommendations for weight
 management. The volume of various organs will be measured pre- and post-exercise intervention
 using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A cycling ergometer with a varied workload will be
 used to assess muscle metabolic efficiency. Changes in overnight SMR and 4 hours post
 breakfast DIT will be evaluated by whole human room indirect calorimetry ("metabolic
 chamber"). In addition, free-living Total Energy Expenditure (TEE) will be measured for ten
 days pre- and post-intervention by doubly labeled water.
Inclusion Criteria:

 Overweight [body mass index (BMI) 25-30

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Participation in another exercise or weight loss program in the last 6 months

 -  Non-stable weight (>±5%) over the past 6 months

 -  Current regular exercise > 1 hour per week

 -  Smoking within the past 6 months

 -  Being post-menopausal, breastfeeding, pregnancy, or having been pregnant within the
 past 6 months

 -  Previous bariatric surgery

 -  Cardiopulmonary disease (e.g., recent myocardial infarction or unstable angina)

 -  Musculoskeletal or neuromuscular impairments that preclude exercise training

 -  Having other health issues include cancer, diabetes, thyroid disease, hypertension,
 chronic renal failure, cognitive impairments

 -  Use of drugs that potentially impact body metabolism.