← All sources
Effects of intermittent fasting combined with resistance training on body composition: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Systematic review and meta-analysis of eight RCTs (n=221) found intermittent fasting combined with resistance training versus non-IF control diets produced greater reductions in body mass, fat mass, BMI, and body fat percentage without a statistically significant loss of fat-free mass in pooled models.
Design
- SR + MA; searches through Feb 2021
- 8 RCTs; n = 221; random-effects WMDs
- Intervention: IF + RT vs non-IF diets with RT
Pooled vs non-IF controls (abstract)
- Body mass: WMD −2.08 kg (95% CI −3.04 to −1.13)
- Fat mass: WMD −1.36 kg (−1.94 to −0.78)
- BMI: WMD −0.52 kg/m² (−0.85 to −0.19)
- Body fat %: WMD −1.49% (−2.24 to −0.74)
- Fat-free mass: WMD −0.27 kg (−0.82 to 0.28) — not statistically significant
Evidence hygiene
Heterogeneous IF windows and ad libitum feeding patterns—pair with isocaloric TRE factorial RCTs on time-restricted-eating without merging effect sizes blindly.
Publication
Ashtary-Larky D, et al. Front Nutr. 2021 Aug 12;8:640621. PMID 33984329.
Outcomes
- IF plus resistance training vs non-IF diets with RT: weighted mean difference body mass −2.08 kg (95% CI −3.04 to −1.13); fat mass −1.36 kg (−1.94 to −0.78); body fat % −1.49% (−2.24 to −0.74) per abstract.
- Fat-free mass WMD −0.27 kg (95% CI −0.82 to 0.28)—not statistically significant vs non-IF control in pooled model per abstract.