Does running with or without changes in diet reduce fat mass in novice runners? A 1-year prospective study

TY - JOUR

T1 - Does running with or without changes in diet reduce fat mass in novice runners?

T2 - A 1-year prospective study

AU - Nielsen, Rasmus O.

AU - Videbæk, Solvej

AU - Hansen, Mette

AU - Parner, Erik T.

AU - Rasmussen, Sten

AU - Langberg, Henning

PY - 2016/1/1

Y1 - 2016/1/1

N2 - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to explore how average weekly running distance, combined with changes in diet habits and reasons to take up running, influence fat mass. METHODS: Fat mass was assessed by bioelectrical impedance at baseline and after 12 months in 538 novice runners included in a 1-year observational prospective follow-up study. During follow-up, running distance for each participant was continuously measured by GPS while reasons to take up running and diet changes were assessed trough web-based questionnaires. Loss of fat mass was compared between runners covering an average of 5 km or more per week and those running shorter distances. RESULTS: Runners who took up running to lose weight and ran over 5 km per week in average over a one-year period combined with a diet change reduced fat mass by -5.58 kg (95% CI: -8.69; -2.46; P<0.001). Compared with subjects also running over 5 km per week but without diet changes, the mean difference in fat mass between groups was 3.81 kg (95% CI: -5.96; -1.66; P<0.001). A difference of-3.55 kg (95% CI: -5.69; -1.41; P<0.001) was found when comparing with those running less than 5 km per week and making changes to their own diet. CONCLUSIONS: An average running distance of more than 5 km per week in runners who took up running to lose weight combined with a targeted diet change seems effective in reducing fat mass over a one-year period among novice runners. Still, randomized controlled trials are needed to better document the effects of self-selected diet changes.

AB - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to explore how average weekly running distance, combined with changes in diet habits and reasons to take up running, influence fat mass. METHODS: Fat mass was assessed by bioelectrical impedance at baseline and after 12 months in 538 novice runners included in a 1-year observational prospective follow-up study. During follow-up, running distance for each participant was continuously measured by GPS while reasons to take up running and diet changes were assessed trough web-based questionnaires. Loss of fat mass was compared between runners covering an average of 5 km or more per week and those running shorter distances. RESULTS: Runners who took up running to lose weight and ran over 5 km per week in average over a one-year period combined with a diet change reduced fat mass by -5.58 kg (95% CI: -8.69; -2.46; P<0.001). Compared with subjects also running over 5 km per week but without diet changes, the mean difference in fat mass between groups was 3.81 kg (95% CI: -5.96; -1.66; P<0.001). A difference of-3.55 kg (95% CI: -5.69; -1.41; P<0.001) was found when comparing with those running less than 5 km per week and making changes to their own diet. CONCLUSIONS: An average running distance of more than 5 km per week in runners who took up running to lose weight combined with a targeted diet change seems effective in reducing fat mass over a one-year period among novice runners. Still, randomized controlled trials are needed to better document the effects of self-selected diet changes.

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 25766050

SN - 0022-4707

VL - 56

SP - 105

EP - 113

JO - Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness

JF - Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness

IS - 1-2

ER -