Effects of Short- Term Intermittent Fasting Aerobic and Anaerobic Capacity

Overview

The therapeutic use of caloric restriction and intermittent fasting (IF) protocols improves life span and health related quality of life. The effects of fasting protocols on athletic performance and training adaptations have been primarily studied in athletes undergoing the Ramadan IF protocol or in athletes willing to decrease body fat, while maintaining or increasing lean body mass. Data from these studies are somewhat conflicting and unclear. Moreover, the effects of IF on muscular strength, as well as in aerobic and anaerobic capacity remain largely unknown. Anecdotal evidence from experienced participants in strength, power and endurance training or sports, indicates an increased ability to acutely display higher levels of work capacity in the fasted vs. fed state. The goal of this project is to determine the effects of 4 wks of IF on neuromuscular performance, aerobic and anaerobic capacity of well-trained young adults.

This 3-year project will include two groups of participants: 1) young men accustomed to resistance training (study #1) and 2) young men accustomed to endurance training (study #2). Inclusion will be limited to healthy participants (i.e. nonsmokers, normotensive with systolic and diastolic values \<135/85 mmHg, non-obese, non-medicated, and free of any known disease as assessed by medical history) (Pickering, Hall et al. 2005). Month 1-3 will focus on literature review and month 4 to 8 will address experimental settings preparation and selection of participants to include in each study. Testing and data collection will be scheduled for months 9-14 and 13-18 (study # 1 and 2 related testing, respectively). Data processing, analysis and presentation will occur from month 21 to 33. All participants will read and sign an informed consent document with the description of the testing procedures. The Faculty's ethical committee will be asked to approve this document before testing. All studies will follow a randomized crossover design, with measures taken before and after the defined IF periods and participants of each group serving as their own controls. Two groups of participants will be included in this project: 1) group #1: resistance trained group (tested for neuromuscular function, anaerobic capacity and body composition); 2) group #2: endurance trained group (tested for aerobic and anaerobic capacity and body composition). In a randomized, counterbalanced manner, all participants will be tested in two different conditions: control condition (pre- and post4 wks of normal diet) vs. experimental condition (pre- and post-4 wks of IF). A 2-wk washout period will separate both conditions. Measurements will be taken during the morning period (between 07:00 and 11:00 am) in the fasted state. Neuromuscular function and anaerobic capacity will be assessed on separate days (with at least a 48- hour interval) to ensure full recovery.