The aim of the current study is to determine whether resistance exercise and/or protein intake can preserve lean mass and improve physical function in patients with obesity initiating semaglutide/tirzepatide therapy. To achieve this aim the study will have the following objectives. In people with obesity initiating semaglutide/tirzepatide therapy 1. Form a PPI group to refine the study protocol and establish study materials, 2. Quantify the effects of a pragmatic resistance exercise intervention and/or increasing protein intake on lean mass and physical function during semaglutide/tirzepatide induced weight loss, 3. Establish whether the resistance exercise intervention and/or increasing protein intake has concomitant benefits on glycaemic control, lipids, liver function, quality of life, physical activity and sleep during semaglutide/tirzepatide induced weight loss. The participants will: Begin their weight loss medication, starting at a low dose and then increasing the dose to maximize weight loss. They will be randomly assigned by a computer to ONE of the following groups and will be followed up to 6-months: * Control group * Protein intake group * Muscle strengthening exercise group * Muscle strengthening exercise AND protein intake group.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
232
Participants assigned to the resistance exercise group will be asked to perform exercises 3 times a week for the intervention period. The first 3 sessions of the exercise will be performed under the supervision of a qualified exercise specialist to ensure that the participants are happy with the exercises and are performing them appropriately. These will also be group sessions to encourage participants to build social connections to support them during the intervention. A similar group social session will take place at week 4 and then every 4 weeks of the study to overcome any issues with the exercises and to ensure progression to an appropriate intensity.
The aim of this arm of the intervention is to ensure a protein intake of 1.6g/kg/day, as this was the intake level identified as the level after which no further effect was found on muscle mass in the meta-regression from (Morton et al., 2018). For the initial 2 weeks of the study, we will ask participants to consume 2 protein drinks, containing 25g protein (3g leucine), per day - one in the morning and one in the evening. At this stage, we won't know the magnitude of reduction of protein intake following initiation of semaglutide/tirzepatide treatment. After 2 weeks, when the first assessment of dietary intake after beginning semaglutide/tirzepatide treatment occurs, the additional protein will be based on the amount required to ensure 1.6g/kg/day with an aim to spread protein evenly across the day and aim for at least 25g protein (3g leucine) per meal or snack.
Participants in this arm will follow the above resistance exercise and protein intake interventions
MRI measured quadriceps cross sectional area (CSA)
At the mid-point of the thigh, we will measure the cross-sectional area of the quadriceps muscle and quantify muscle's thickness and size.
Time frame: From enrollment (at baseline) to the end of treatment at 6 months.
MRI measured liver fat
We will also assess liver fat using an IDEAL scan.
Time frame: From enrollment (at baseline) to the end of treatment at 6 months.
MRI measured intramuscular fat content (total thigh)
We will quantify intramuscular fat content
Time frame: From enrollment (at baseline) to the end of treatment at 6 months.
Muscle strength
Grip strength will be measured 3 times in each hand using a Jamar dynamometer.
Time frame: From enrollment (at baseline) to the end of treatment at 6 months.
Energy intake
Baseline energy intake will be quantified by the use of the EPIC food frequency questionnaire and multi-pass 24h recall. Further 24h recalls will be carried out at 0.5,1,3 and 6 months of the follow up period.
Time frame: From enrollment (at baseline) to the end of treatment at 6 months.
Physical activity and sleep levels
Participants will be asked to wear and accelerometer for a 7-day period to quantify physical activity and sedentary behaviour. The accelerometer is a wrist born watch and we will ask participants to wear this device for 24h a day for the 7-day measurement period. We will use tri-axial accelerometers and following data collection we will process the accelerometer counts using R software and generate the daily amount of light, moderate and vigorous physical activity along with sleep.
Time frame: From enrollment (at baseline) to the end of treatment at 6 months.
Activities of Daily Living
This will be quantified by the Barthel activities of daily living questionnaire.
Time frame: From enrollment (at baseline) to the end of treatment at 6 months.
Whole blood glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c)
Time frame: From enrollment (at baseline) to the end of treatment at 6 months.
Oral glucose tolerance test
An oral glucose tolerance test will be performed with a cannula inserted and a baseline blood sample collected, a 75g glucose load consumed and further samples collected at 15, 30, 60 90 and 120 min. Samples will be analysed for glucose and insulin levels.
Time frame: From enrollment (at baseline) to the end of treatment at 6 months.
Blood lipids
Time frame: From enrollment (at baseline) to the end of treatment at 6 months.
Liver function
We will measure aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin (ALB), total protein (TP), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and bilirubin.
Time frame: From enrollment (at baseline) to the end of treatment at 6 months.
Plasma GLP-1 and GIP
Time frame: From enrollment (at baseline) to the end of treatment at 6 months.
Concomitant medication
Time frame: From enrollment (at baseline) to the end of treatment at 6 months.
Fib-4 score
Fib-4 score will be calculated from liver function test
Time frame: From enrollment (at baseline) to the end of treatment at 6 months.
hsCRP
Time frame: From enrollment (at baseline) to the end of treatment at 6 months.
IL-6, IL-10, IL1Ra and TNF-alpha.
Time frame: From enrollment (at baseline) to the end of treatment at 6 months.
Gait Speed
Habitual gait speed will be measured during a 4 metre walk test
Time frame: From enrollment (at baseline) to the end of treatment at 6 months.
Chair rise performance
The number of chair rises completed in 30 seconds measured.
Time frame: From enrollment (at baseline) to the end of treatment at 6 months.
Aerobic Fitness
Aerobic fitness will be quantified with the 6 min walk test.
Time frame: From enrollment (at baseline) to the end of treatment at 6 months.
Macronutrient Intake
Baseline carbodhyrate, fat and protein intake (all g/day) will be quantified by the use of the EPIC food frequency questionnaire and multi-pass 24h recall. Further 24h recalls will be carried out at 0.5,1,3 and 6 months of the follow up period.
Time frame: From enrollment (at baseline) to the end of treatment at 6 months.
Quality of Life assessed using the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire
This will be quantified by the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire.
Time frame: From enrollment (at baseline) to the end of treatment at 6 months.
Body Composition via DEXA scan
fat and fat free mass via Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA)
Time frame: From enrollment (at baseline) to the end of treatment at 6 months.
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