Author(s): STIRCU, V., SAMPIERI, A., PAOLI, A., MORO, T., Institution: UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI PADOVA, Country: ITALY, Abstract-ID: 1105

INTRODUCTION:
The 16/8 method of intermittent fasting (IF), also known as time-restricted eating (TRE), is often associated with positive health effects. However, the role and interplay of TRE and exercise remain unclear. Building on the results of a study that investigated the effects of the TRE protocol in association with resistance training (RT), this study aims to explore the differences between combining training and TRE versus diet alone.
METHODS:
We selected 40 subjects and divided them into a total of four groups of 10 people each. Twenty subjects (age 29.1±4.1; weight 83.5±5.9 kg) were part of a previous study by Moro et al. (2016), who had undergone resistance training. These were further divided into two groups: one followed a time-restricted eating (TRE) regimen (n=10), and the other followed a standard diet (SD; n=10). We compared these twenty trained subjects against 20 other subjects (age 42.05±13.6; weight 73.11±14.8 kg) who did not engage in physical exercise. This new group was also divided into two: one followed time-restricted eating (TRF; n=10) and the other a standard diet (SD; n=10). The TRE groups fasted for 16 hours and consumed three meals over an 8-hour period at 1 p.m., 4 p.m., and 8 p.m., while the SD groups ate at 8 a.m., 1 p.m., and 8 p.m. Subjects were tested before and after 8 weeks of their assigned intervention. We measured body composition (fat mass, fat-free mass) using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and conducted blood analysis for total and free testosterone, insulin-like growth factor 1, blood glucose, insulin, leptin, triiodothyronine, thyroid-stimulating hormone, interleukin-6, interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor α, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides.
RESULTS:
After 8 weeks, a significant effect of intermittent fasting on weight was observed, with TRE pre compared to TRE post showing a significant difference (p=0.002). A 2-way ANOVA (Time * Diet interaction) revealed a decrease in fat mass (p< .001), %FAT (p< .001), and BMI (p=0.003) in TRE pre compared to TRE post, while fat-free mass was maintained in all groups. Testosterone and insulin-like growth factor 1 levels decreased, considering the interaction of time * diet (p=0.075; p=0.033), and glucose levels also decreased in the group combining exercise and TRE compared to their levels post-exercise and TRE (p=0.010).
CONCLUSION:
These preliminary data suggest that physical exercise, particularly resistance training in relation to TRE, appears to improve glucose levels in subjects. Furthermore, intermittent fasting is confirmed as an interesting strategy for weight loss and muscle mass maintenance.