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Physiology and Biochemistry

The increase in fat-free mass during weight loss does not prevent greater than predicted reductions in resting energy expenditure in recreational athletes

International Journal of Obesity (2026) Cite this article

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Abstract

Energy restriction and resistance training (RT) are commonly used by athletes to induce body weight and fat losses and improve power to mass ratio. Weight loss-induced greater than predicted decrease in resting energy expenditure (GPDR) has repeatedly been reported in individuals with obesity. However, less is known about GPDR in trained athletes who consume adequate protein and who perform RT to maintain fat-free mass (FFM) during weight loss. Thirty-six recreational athletes (14 F; 22 M) from two separate weight loss studies were included for secondary analysis. We examined the effects of short-term weight loss with RT and adequate protein intakes on GPDR in recreational athletes. We found significant reductions in resting energy expenditure (REE) (~ -140 kcal/d; p < 0.001) and GPDR based on our prediction equation (p < 0.001). What is more, we report that the decrease in REE and the presence of GPDR were observed even in individuals who had gained FFM by the end of the interventions. Our findings suggest that even increases in FFM, by means of RT and adequate protein intake does not prevent the decline in REE, nor the onset of GPDR in recreational athletes subjected to caloric deficits and fat loss.

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Fig. 1: REE was (mean ± SD) 1851 ± 266 vs 1713 ± 267 kcal/day (p < 0.001) at baseline and post-intervention, respectively.
Fig. 2: Changes in REE and GPDR based on FFM gain or loss.

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Data availability

The analysed data sets of the current study are not publicly available. De-identified and processed data can be requested from the corresponding author for academic purposes after completing a signed data access form. Only de-identified data can be provided to protect participant privacy.

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Acknowledgements

We thank all participants for taking part in our research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada

    Mikael F. Kanaan, Samir Nait-Yahia & Éric Doucet

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  1. Mikael F. Kanaan
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  2. Samir Nait-Yahia
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  3. Éric Doucet
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MFK and ÉD: Conceptualisation, data analysis, writing and editing; SNY and MFK: Data collection, writing and editing. All authors approved the final version.

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Correspondence to Éric Doucet.

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Kanaan, M.F., Nait-Yahia, S. & Doucet, É. The increase in fat-free mass during weight loss does not prevent greater than predicted reductions in resting energy expenditure in recreational athletes. Int J Obes (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-026-02179-z

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