MLS - HEALTH &

NUTRITION RESEARCH
https://www.mlsjournals.com/MLS-Health-Nutrition

Grando, I. (2022). Efeito da dieta lowcarb sobre a composição corporal de indivíduos praticantes de musculação com
treinamento de força. MLS Health & Nutrition Research, 2(2).

EFEITO DA DIETA LOWCARB SOBRE A COMPOSIÇÃO

CORPORAL DE INDIVÍDUOS PRATICANTES DE
MUSCULAÇÃO COM TREINAMENTO DE FORÇA

Isaacar Grando
[email protected] https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7990-3290

Resumo. Introdução: A dieta low-carb vem sendo estudada, pois têm mostrado resultados significativos
no benefício da redução de peso, por ser composta maioritariamente por proteínas e gorduras naturais com
baixo potencial inflamatório, ajudando também a reduzir e a combater a retenção de líquidos. Esta dieta
associada a treino de força poderia auxiliar no crescimento muscular bem como na redução da gordura
corporal. Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar o efeito de uma dieta low-carb na composição
corporal de praticantes de musculação submetidos ao treino de força. Metodologia:A amostra foi composta
por 24 indivíduos do sexo masculino, não atletas, com idade entre 19 a 34 anos, com experiência em
treinamento. Os participantes foram divididos em dois grupos, onde em um grupo foi submetido ao treino
de força com dieta normocalórica, normoproteica, normolipídica e normoglicidica e o segundo grupo
submetido ao treino de força com dieta lowcarbhipoglicídica, hiperproteica, hiperlipídica, durante o período
de quatro semanas. Resultados: Ao comparar a composição corporal do grupo com a intervenção low-carb
com relação ao grupo controle, não foram observadas diferenças significativas com relação aos dados de
percentual da gordura corporal, percentual de massa magra, índice de massa corporal. Conclusão: Dadas as
evidências prévias sobre a estratégia dietética low-carb, sugere-se a realização de mais estudos nesta área
para o levantamento de novos resultados e conclusões.

Palavras-chave: Composição corporal, dieta baixa em carboidrato, dieta low-carb, fortalecimento por
levantamento de peso.

MLS Health & Nutrition Research

 Grando, I.

Effect of carbohydrate diet on body

compositionofindividualspracticingbodybuildingwithstrengthtraining

Summary. Introduction: The low-carb diet has been studied, as it has shown significant results in the
benefit of weigh treduction, as it iscomposed most lyofproteins and natural fats with low inflammatory
potential, also help ingto reduce and combat fluid retention. This diet combined withs trength training could
help with muscle growth as well as reducing body fat. Objective: This study aimed to analyzeth effect of a
low-carb diet on the body composition of body builders submitted to strength training. Methodology: The
sample consisted of 24 male individuals, non-athletes, aged between 19 and 34 years, with training
experience. Participants were divided into two groups, where in one group was submitted tostrength training
with a normocaloric, normoproteic, normolipidicandnormoglycidic diet and the second group was
submitted to strength training with a low carb, hypoglycemic, hyperproteic, hyperlipidic diet, during the
period of four weeks. Results: When comparing the body composition of the group with the low-
carbintervention in relation to the control group, no significant differences were observe dregarding the
data of body fat percentage, lean mass percentage, body mass index. Conclusion: Given the previous
evidence on the low-carbdietary strategy, further studies in this area are suggested toobta in new results and
conclusions.

Keywords: Body composition, low-carb diet, low-carb diet, strengthbyweight lifting .

Efecto de una dieta baja en carbohidratos sobre la composición corporal

de individuos que practican musculación con entrenamiento de fuerza

Resumen. Introducción: La dieta baja en carbohidratos ha sido estudiada, ya que ha mostrado resultados
significativos en el beneficio de la reducción de peso, ya que está compuesta en su mayoría por proteínas y
grasas naturales con bajo potencial inflamatorio, ayudando además a reducir y combatir la retención de
líquidos. Esta dieta combinada con entrenamiento de fuerza podría ayudar con el crecimiento muscular y
reducir la grasa corporal. Objetivo: Este estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar el efecto de una dieta baja en
carbohidratos sobre la composición corporal de culturistas sometidos a entrenamiento de fuerza.
Metodología: La muestra estuvo constituida por 24 individuos del sexo masculino, no deportistas, con
edades comprendidas entre 19 y 34 años, con experiencia en entrenamiento. Los participantes fueron
divididos en dos grupos, donde un grupo se sometió a un entrenamiento de fuerza con una dieta
normocalórica, normoproteica, normolipídica y normoglicídica y el segundo grupo se sometió a un
entrenamiento de fuerza con una dieta baja en carbohidratos, hipoglucemiante, hiperproteica, hiperlipídica,
durante el período de cuatro semanas. Resultados: Al comparar la composición corporal del grupo con la
intervención baja en carbohidratos en relación al grupo control, no se observaron diferencias significativas
en cuanto a los datos de porcentaje de grasa corporal, porcentaje de masa magra, índice de masa corporal.
Conclusión: Dada la evidencia previa sobre la estrategia dietética baja en carbohidratos, se sugieren más
estudios en esta área para obtener nuevos resultados y conclusiones.

Palabras clave: composición corporal, dieta baja en carbohidratos, dieta baja en carbohidratos, fuerza por
levantamiento de pesas.

2
 Effect of low-carb diet on body composition of individuals practicing bodybuilding with strength training

Introduction.
The dietary basis of the individual plays a determining role in his or her physical
condition, and every day new dietary proposals emerge that seek to modify the standard
dietary basis in search of faster results (1,2).
In ancient times, being overweight was considered a condition of social status,
since the person who presented a higher weight was considered more fortunate, thus
showing his curves associated with his possessions (3). With the passage of time, society
changed and in 1864, William Banting, in his quest for a lighter body, eliminated bread,
potatoes, and sugar from his diet, eating basically meat, fish, and vegetables (4).
Over the years, diets have evolved and modernized according to new scientific
findings regarding their efficacy. In 1972, later revised in 1992, Dr. Atkins' diet already
recommended diets with a restricted amount of carbohydrates, with proteins and fats as
the dietary basis (5). Then came Dr. Dukan's diet in 2000, where the basis was the same
as that of Dr. Atkins, but the main difference was the priority given to monounsaturated
and polyunsaturated fats, the famous good fats, and also that proteins should be lean and
included physical activity in the weight loss program (6).
Currently, research has approached the efficacy of the ketogenic diet, which is
given by the consumption of less than 10% of carbohydrates, and the low-carbohydrate
diet, which in Portuguese would be a low-carbohydrate diet. The low-carbohydrate diet
is characterized by a daily intake of 30 to 130g of carbohydrates (7). There is evidence
that this dietary strategy favors the loss of body fat, by the mechanism of action of the
insulin/glucagon ratio. It is known that carbohydrate is transformed into glucose and the
same is absorbed by the liver, when many carbohydrate-rich foods are consumed, there
is an increase in the release of insulin in the body, which in turn reduces the release of
glucagon and is responsible for the burning of body fat. When foods rich in protein,
quality fats, and fiber are consumed, there is a reduction in the amount of circulating
insulin and, consequently, an increase in the release of glucagon. Thus, the individual can
lose weight more quickly and effectively and, in parallel, obtains a decrease in the risks
of developing cardiovascular diseases and other complications associated with
overweight and obesity (8).
Nowadays, the routine with little time available has made the population
increasingly sedentary and, consequently, more obese since the reduction of physical
exercise associated with a poor-quality diet (based on processed and industrialized foods)
leads to an increase in body weight, in addition to serious health problems. People show
a certain urgency to obtain quick results and, considering that the low-carbohydrate diet
is efficient in this sense, it has been one of the most applied and sought-after proposals
nowadays when it comes to losing weight. On the other hand, strength training is more
and more requested and takes precedence over aerobic training (2).
Strength training refers to an exercise or a sequence of exercises, which will help
the individual's muscle building, aiming at the individual's anaerobic endurance. There is
evidence that strength training associated with low-carbohydrate diets accelerates weight
loss (6,9).

(2022) MLSHN, 2(2.)

 Grando, I.

Methodology

The study consists of a non-randomized clinical trial (quasi-experimental).

This study was conducted from December 2020 to January 2021, with a total of four
weeks of intervention. The study population was composed of students attending the
Health and Movement gym, in the city of Balneário Arroio do Silva / SC, where the study
was conducted. The sample was composed of 24 individuals. These correspond to 100%
of the study population that fit the inclusion criteria, that is, non-athletes, in the age range
of 19 to 34 years, male, with training experience, non-consumers of steroids. Participants
were divided into two groups:

Group 1: Twelve individuals who underwent strength training with a normocaloric,

normoprotein, normolipidemic, and normoglycemic diet.

Group 2: Twelve individuals who underwent strength training with a low-carbohydrate,

hypoglycemic, hyperproteic, and hyperlipidemic diet, mainly rich in monounsaturated
fat.

A non-probabilistic convenience sampling was performed in which the researcher uses

subjective choice criteria. The participants were already practicing bodybuilding.

Inclusion criteria:

- Being a man

- No underlying chronic diseases

- Have experience in the practice of resistance training for a minimum of 90 days

- Not following a specific diet with nutritional control

- Sign the TCLE

Exclusion criteria:

- Being an athlete

- Being users of anabolic androgenic steroids

- Not agreeing with the study criteria and refusing to sign the TCLE

Measuring instruments and techniques

A digital scale (Omron HBF 514 model) used in the evaluation of body
composition before and after the application of the dietary strategies in the intervention
group and in the control group.
A tape measure stadiometer, without specific marking, was used in the evaluation
of body composition before and after the application of the dietary strategies in the
intervention group and in the control group.

4
 Effect of low-carb diet on body composition of individuals practicing bodybuilding with strength training

The Cescorf adipometer was used in the evaluation of body composition before
and after the application of the dietary strategies in the intervention group and in the
control group. The adipometer was used to obtain the skinfold values of the participants
in order to calculate the percentage of body fat and the percentage of lean mass of the
participants.
The Cescorf tape measure was used in the evaluation of body composition before
and after the application of the dietary strategies in the intervention and control groups.
The calculations and formulas to perform the physical assessment of individuals
and determine body composition used the equation of Jackson and Pollock (10) published
in 1978 [1.112- 0.00043499 x (Σ 7 folds) + 0.00000055 x (Σ 7 folds) 2 - 0.00028826 x
(age)]. This equation was developed to estimate the body fat content of men (10).
Basal metabolic rate (BMR) and total energy expenditure (TEE) were determined
using the Harris and Benedict formula (11), which for the male sex is TEE = 662 - (9.53
x I) + [NAF x (15.91 x P + 539.6 x A)], where P is weight, A is height, and I is age. The
physical activity factor (PAF) ranks: sedentary 1.0, light 1.11, moderate 1.25, intense
1.48. Both for the age group 19 years and older (11).
The participants were divided into two groups. After the separation of the groups,
an analysis of the body composition of the individuals was performed: percentage of body
fat and muscle mass.
The intensity of the strength training was adjusted to 80% using the one repetition
maximum (1RM) test for the main strength training exercises. The training was composed
in the frequency of five times per week, where chest, shoulder, triceps, back, biceps, and
lower limbs were worked. Multiple series system of three series with 8 to 12 repetitions
for the exercises with 4 exercises for the chest, back, and lower limbs groups and 3
exercises for shoulder, triceps, and biceps, with interval of 45 seconds to 1 minute and 30
seconds, with the division of the weekly training in format A (chest, shoulders, and
triceps), B (back and biceps), and C (lower limbs). All workouts were accompanied by a
professional (12-14).
The caloric restriction to be followed during the research through the low-
carbohydrate diet with 100 grams of carbohydrates per day is through the consumption
of less than 200 grams of carbohydrates per day. The other macronutrients being in the
range of 35 to 40 percent lipids and 35 to 40 percent protein calculated individually.
Complex carbohydrates are used to replenish muscle glycogen stores and are consumed
in the first meal after training and in 3 more meals.
Participants in the control group received a normocaloric (individually calculated
GET value), normoglycemic (50% carbohydrate), normoproteic (30% protein), and
normolipidic (20% lipid) diet also prescribed by the nutritionist (15).
The analysis was performed with the GraphpadPrism program, version 6.01, in
which the one-way Anova analysis was chosen for paired dependent and independent
samples, intergroup and intragroup with mean and standard deviation, using p-value
<0.05 (level of significance considered).

(2022) MLSHN, 2(2.)

 Grando, I.

Results
This study had as population sample 24 students, being 12 students from group 1,
and 12 students from group 2, from a bodybuilding gym. The participants were male, with
an age range of 19 to 34 years, who had experience in training and were not steroid users.
The data in the tables are intended to present the mean, standard deviation,
maximum and minimum values of variables such as age, height, weight before and after,
and Body Mass Index (BMI) before and after sampling, as presented in Tables 1 and 2.
Table 1. General data of the control group
BMI
Age Height Weight (kg) BMI (Kg/m2) Weight (kg)
(Kg/m2)
(years) (m) Before Before After After
Group 1 Group 1 Group 1 Group 1 Group 1 Group 1

Participants 12 12 12 12 12 12

Mean 27,5 1,76 85,62 27,48 85,75 27,52

Standard
5,78 0,07 12,78 3,22 12,27 2,97
deviation

Minimum 19 1,68 65,3 23,14 66,7 23,63

Maximum 36 1,92 104 34,35 103 34,02

Grando (2021)
According to Table 1, the participants had a mean age of 27.5 years and a mean BMI value of 27.52kg/m2
after the intervention. Being that the classification for BMI is less than 18.5 - Underweight, between 18.5
and 24.9 - normal weight and between 25 and 29.9 - Overweight (above the desired weight), Equal or above
30 - Obesity (16).

6
 Effect of low-carb diet on body composition of individuals practicing bodybuilding with strength training

Table 2: general data of the intervention group

Age Height Weight (kg) BMI (Kg/m2) Weight (kg) BMI (Kg/m2)
(years) (m) Before Before Then Then
Group 2 Group 2 Group 2 Group 2 Group 2 Group 2

Participants 12 12 12 12 12 12

Mean 27,7 1,76 85,75 27,96 84,25 27,44

Standard
4,33 0,09 7,96 4,05 7,22 3,61
deviation

Minimum 19 1,68 75 21,83 73 21,83

Maximum 34 1,95 102 35,29 98 33,91

According to Table 2, the participants had a mean age of 27 years and a mean
BMI value of 27.44kg/m2 after the intervention. Being that the classification for BMI is
less than 18.5 - Underweight, between 18.5 and 24.9 - normal weight and between 25 and
29.9 - Overweight (above the desired weight), Equal or above 30 - Obesity (16).
Figure 1 shows the graphical analysis of the BMI of the research participants. No
significant differences were observed when comparing the groups before and after, nor
between the groups after the four weeks of intervention. There were no significant
differences between the same group and between groups.

Figure 1. Groups 1 and 2: Between control and intervention groups

Figure 2 presents the graphical analysis of the body fat percentage of the research
participants. No significant differences were observed when comparing the groups before
and after, nor between the groups after the four weeks of intervention. Both groups
remained with a body fat percentage similar to the initial assessment.

(2022) MLSHN, 2(2.)

 Grando, I.

Figure 2. Groups 1 and 2: Between control and intervention groups

Figure 3 shows the evaluation of the percentage of lean mass of the overall sample of
research participants. No significant differences were observed when comparing the
groups before and after, nor between the groups after the four weeks of intervention. Both
groups remained with a lean mass percentage similar to the initial assessment.

Figure 3. Groups 1 and 2: Between control and intervention groups

Discussion and conclusions

The BMI data before and after the intervention showed overweight in the
participants as shown in Table 5.1. However, when measuring BMI and verifying that it
is above normal, it is advisable to perform a body composition assessment. The objective
is to verify if the excess weight is related to their amount of lean mass (muscle, bone, and
residual weight) or adipose (fat) (15).
BMI should always be associated with the evaluation of the percentage of body
fat and the percentage of lean mass in order to have a correct and more reliable physical
evaluation (16,17). The present study aimed to evaluate BMI before and after the

8
 Effect of low-carb diet on body composition of individuals practicing bodybuilding with strength training

application of strength training and low-carbohydrate diet to complement the physical

assessment, but no significant differences were observed in the comparison between
groups. The study by Creighton et al. (17) observed in competitive runners that the
metabolic profile obtained significant improvements with no change in the BMI of the
participants.
Penteado et al. (16), who evaluated the BMI of 13 athletes of an indoor soccer
team in 2009, reported that 61.4% of the participants were overweight and obese.
However, the percentage of body fat was estimated between normal and below the
recommended range, confirming that the assessment of nutritional status through BMI is
not the most appropriate parameter since it is based on the relationship between weight
and height. However, it is not an accurate measure of body fat content and, in this case,
should be associated with another indicator of body composition (18).
Low-carbohydrate diets have recently become very popular due to their numerous
health benefits. Several studies have been conducted on the impact of low-carbohydrate
diets on improving exercise performance in athletes, reducing fat content, and decreasing
the risk of dyslipidemia or insulin resistance in overweight and obese individuals (18-20).

Starting training with a low carbohydrate reserve promotes improvements that

favor lipid metabolism as well as limiting performance for more intense workouts, just as
a diet rich in fat can favor greater fat oxidation, but energy restriction is usually linked to
the pursuit of aesthetic purposes and in strength sports athletes (9,12). The present study
evaluated the percentage of body fat before and after group 1, which was the control group
with fitness training associated with a standard diet, and before and after group 2, the
intervention group, which performed strength training and received the low-carbohydrate
diet, finding no significant difference in the comparison between groups. Michalczyk (21)
conducted a study with competitive basketball players, where he used the low-
carbohydrate diet for four weeks and obtained a significant reduction in the percentage of
body fat contradicting the results found but also obtained no significant differences in the
percentage of lean mass, which corroborates the results of this study, and was evaluated
before and after in both group 1 and group 2.

The maintenance of lean mass is extremely important and it should be

remembered that this component is directly influenced by the level of muscle glycogen,
which is almost twice as high in competitive athletes compared to untrained individuals,
so biochemical analysis is necessary in future analyses (22).

Rothschild and Earnest (23) observed in their study an improvement in

mitochondrial enzyme activity, mitochondrial content, and fat oxidation rates; however,
they did not observe any significant difference in physical changes on acute application
of the low-carbohydrate diet, just as this study found no significant difference in this
study, highlighting the importance of biochemical analysis in the future.

According to the research of Guimarães et al. (24), where tests and application of
the low-carbohydrate diet were performed in 60 participants who practiced weight
training to analyze weight reduction and lean mass gain, the result was an average weight
reduction of around 2.5 kg and a reduction in BMI close to 0,9 kg/m2, in addition to an
increase in lean mass and a reduction in fat mass, highlighting the greater reduction in
average body weight in men (-3.8 kg) relative to women (2.4 kg), which was not observed
in the present investigation, as it did not include a sample of women. It is believed that,
9

(2022) MLSHN, 2(2.)

 Grando, I.

if the cited study had only analyzed the before and after, it would have the same results;
however, a deeper analysis is necessary for this statement.

It can be observed in the same way in the qualitative study conducted by Fiuza
(25), where he makes a relationship between men and women, applying the low-
carbohydrate diet during a period of one month, in 15 practitioners of resistance training.
The age range of the participants was from 20 to 52 years, with a predominance of 20 to
28 years, and the female audience was 67% and the male 33%. The research revealed
that, in both groups, there was loss of fat mass, but this significant reduction is only
observed when comparing the groups between genders; however, it does not show the
results within the same gender as in this study.
One of the factors that reduce the effectiveness of adherence to dietary reeducation
diets is the difficulty in losing weight, sometimes related to sedentary lifestyle, poor
eating habits, noncompliance with diet, and physical activities or individual comorbidities
that cause patients to drop out before achieving significant results. In this sense, the choice
of the low-carbohydrate diet promotes faster weight adjustment, thus favoring greater
patient adherence to the therapeutic process (14).
In a study conducted by Francisco (26) for a year and a half, it was divided into 3
phases, the first and second being the phase of application of the low-carbohydrate diet
that resulted in the desired weight loss, and the third phase, after one year of the first and
second phases, the participants continued to maintain the weight achieved and the eating
habits developed during the intervention. Of this participant population of 663
individuals, only 70 agreed to undergo the nutritional evaluation after one year, where it
is observed that the BMI of the participants at the beginning of the research, being 60%
of the individuals pre-obese and 27.8% with grade I obesity, and the rest presented grade
II and III obesity. At the beginning of the maintenance phase, the participants were
classified as 45.1% eutrophic, 44.7% pre-obese, and 8.6% grade I obese; and after one
year, 35.8% of the 21 participants were eutrophic, 47.2% pre-obese, and 15% grade I
obese. This study showed that the low-carbohydrate diet was effective in the application
period. However, it needs an adequate period of application to observe a response to
treatment. It is believed that this has been the most striking factor in the results presented
in the current research, which was based on a short period of application made it possible
to obtain significant results, suggesting that a longer period of application of the diet
would have a promising result.
A nutritional research was conducted on the application of the low-carbohydrate
diet in runners based on the energy expenditure of the group and sports performance
before and after the test period. Having street running as an aerobic sport, Leite (27)
understood in his research that the low-carbohydrate diet did not bring benefits to the
participants of the project, where he did not find significant results with the diet. However,
it is believed that associated with strength training the results are more promising, even
not having found significant difference in this study.

Hashimoto et al. (28), during the first meta-analysis on the effect of the low-
carbohydrate diet on fat percentage and body weight in patients seeking to lose weight,
regardless of age and gender, observed that there was a greater loss of fat mass with the
application of the low-carbohydrate diet compared to the other conventional control diets
due to the higher protein intake. This study was one of those used in the search for material
for the development of this work; however, the expected result was not obtained as shown
in this meta-analysis.

10
 Effect of low-carb diet on body composition of individuals practicing bodybuilding with strength training

According to Perroni et al. (29), although low-carbohydrate diets may provide

metabolic benefits, when less than 50 g of carbohydrate/day is offered, it may result in
ergolytic effects, i.e., it may end up compromising the individual's physical capacity or
performance in activities such as strength training itself.

Lacerda (30) conducted a qualitative study with Crossfit practitioners to evaluate

physical results. A reduction in hip and waist circumferences, loss of fat percentage and
body weight was observed; however, there were no significant changes in the
percentage of lean mass, and the participants continued with the nutritional diagnosis of
overweight. The women's group presented a loss of about 4kg in relation to the initial
weight and 4cm of loss in waist measurements, while the men showed a significant
difference of almost 10kg in relation to the initial weight. There was also a reduction in
BMI in both genders evaluated. This study, despite not considering a dietary intervention,
was considered relevant as CrossFit is also classified as strength training. However, this
work by Lacerda does not corroborate with the findings of this study in which no
significant difference in body fat and body weight loss was observed, even using the same
four-week training and diet application period.

According to Astrup and Hjorth (31), the efficacy of the low-carbohydrate diet
depends directly on the metabolic system of each individual. Research conducted among
individuals who were subjected to three types of diets, including the low-carbohydrate
diet, indicated that the low glycemic index presented by the low-carbohydrate diet
provides an improvement in the metabolism of individuals, such as the reduction of the
lipid, glycemic, and hepatic profile; this being one of the key parts for the weight loss
result. The study also revealed that most of the prediabetic individuals reduced their
weight with a diet oriented to a lower quantity and higher quality of carbohydrates
ingested, with a higher consumption of whole grains and fiber. This study reinforces the
importance of biochemical analysis and new findings should be sought in the current
research, and that physical assessment alone was not effective in obtaining significant
results.

A very controversial study by Kabisch et al. (32), in 140 individuals with non-
alcoholic fatty liver disease, indicated that there were no changes in hepatic fat with the
application of the low-carbohydrate diet, but there were significant changes in the
reduction of obesity indexes according to BMI and triglyceride parameters. Diets with fat
reduction in the case of patients with hepatic fat showed more significant changes than
the application of diets with lower carbohydrate intake (32). Other studies found in the
literature show the efficacy of the low-carbohydrate diet in the reduction of non-alcoholic
hepatic steatosis, reflected in the percentage of body fat (33), being what this study sought
in its analysis.

Araujo et al. (34) conducted a test application of a high-protein, low-carbohydrate

diet together with strength training in a group of 25 overweight older women. The diet
consisted of protein (1.8g/kg/day x 1.0g/kg/day) and carbohydrate (2.0g/kg/day x
3.0g/kg/day) and similar amounts of lipids and fiber for a period of eight weeks.
Compared to the traditional control diet (normo-glycemic, lipid, and protein), the
hyperprotein diet with reduced carbohydrate intake showed no significant differences in
fat mass loss and reduction in measurements. Similar to the results of this study, no
significant differences were observed in the analysis of body weight and fat mass
percentage.
11

(2022) MLSHN, 2(2.)

 Grando, I.

Research was conducted with eight cyclists, comparing the efficacy of a Western
diet with the low-carbohydrate diet. This research was applied for a period of four weeks
for each diet, and the results showed that there was reduction of BMI, improvement of
lipid and lipoprotein profile, and biochemical improvement of the participants (35), which
differs from the BMI findings, but the biochemical analysis was not performed, and it is
believed that, if it had been performed, the results would be significant as shown in other
studies.
This study showed no significant changes in body fat percentage, lean mass
percentage, body mass index, both in group 1 and group 2, which performed the
application of the low-carbohydrate diet together with strength training. Regarding the
BMI of the participants, there was a mean reduction of approximately 1.38 kg/m2 in
relation to the maximum obtained before the intervention and after the investigation,
which is not considered a significant reduction for the investigation. Regarding the weight
of the participants, the mean reduction was 2 kg relative to the initial minimum weight in
both phases and 4 kg relative to the maximum weight between them within standard
deviation. Even without significant changes, it can be noted that, in numbers, the changes
occurred were more visible in group 2, so the continuation of extension research on the
subject of the effectiveness of low-carbohydrate diets with the help of strength training is
necessary to have more material and knowledge on the subject.
After four weeks of intervention with a low-carbohydrate diet in individuals
practicing strength training, no significant differences were observed in terms of BMI, fat
percentage, or lean mass of the participants at the end of the application.

References
(1) World Health Organization (WHO). Waist circunference and waist-hip ratio.
Report of a WHO expert consultation [Internet]. 2008 [accessed on March 15, 2020].
Available at:
https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/44583/9789241501491_eng.pdf?ua=1

(2) Xavier SC. Dietas pobres em hidratos de carbono na perda de peso corporal
[Dissertation] [Internet]. Oporto: Universidad de Oporto, 2017. [Accessed on April
6, 2021]. Available at: https://revistas.unibh.br/dcbas/article/download/2828/pdf
(3) Garine I, Pollock DE. Social Aspects of Obesity. Inglaterra: Routledge, 1995.
(4) Falcão H. Dieta de Banting: a incrível história do coveiro que enterrou a
obesidade. São Paulo: Clannad, 2020.
(5) Atkins RC. A nova dieta revolucionária do Dr. Atkins. 14 ed. Rio de janeiro:
Record, 2004.
(6) Dukan P. O método ilustrado: Eu não consigo emagrecer. 7 ed. São Paulo:
BestSeller, 2013.
(7) Hite AH, Berkowitz VG, Berkowitz K. Low-Carbohydrate Diet Review: Shifting
the Paradigm. NutrClinPract [Internet]. 2011 [accessed on March 15, 2020];
26(3):3. Available at:
https://aspenjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1177/08845336114057
91
(8) Mansoor N, Vinknes JK, Veierod BM, Retterstol K. K. Effects of low-
carbohydrate diets v. low-fat diets on body weight and cardiovascular risk factors:
a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. British Journal of Nutrition

12
 Effect of low-carb diet on body composition of individuals practicing bodybuilding with strength training

[Internet]. 2015 [accessed on March 15, 2020]. Available at:

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-
nutrition/article/effects-of-lowcarbohydrate-diets-v-lowfat-diets-on-body-
weight-and-cardiovascular-risk-factors-a-metaanalysis-of-randomised-
controlled-trials/B8FBAC51C156D8CAB189CF0B14FB2A46
(9) Burke LM, Haley JA, Wong SHS, Jeukendrup AE. Carbohydrates for training and
competition. Journal Of Sports Sciences. Journal Of Sports Sciences [Internet].
2011 [accessed on June 15, 2021]; 29(1): 17-27. Available at:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02640414.2011.585473
(10) Jackson AS, Pollock ML. Generalized equations for predicting body density of
men. Br J Nutr [Internet]. 1978 [accessed on February 15, 2021]; 40: 497-504.
Available at: https://sci-hub.se/10.1079/bjn19780152
(11) Harris JA, Benedict FG. A biometric study of basal metabolism in man.
ProcNatlAcadSci USA [Internet]. 1918 [accessed on February 15, 2021]; 4(12):
370-373. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1091498/
(12) Fleck SJ, Kraemer WJ. Fundamentosdo treinamento de força muscular. 4a ed.
Porto Alegre: Artmed; 2017.
(13) Cordeiro R, Salles MB, Azevedo BM. Benefícios e Malefícios da dieta LowCarb.
Revista Saúde em Foco [Internet]. 2017 [accessed on October 11, 2020]; 9: 714-
722. Available at:
http://portal.unisepe.com.br/unifia/wpcontent/uploads/sites/10001/2018/06/080_
beneficios.pdf
(14) Brown LE, Weir JP. (ASEP) Procedures Recommendation I: Accurate assessment
of muscular strength and power. JEPonline [Internet]. 2001 [accessed on October
11, 2020]; 4(3): 1-21. Available at:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235782389_ASEP_Procedures_recom
mendation_I_Accurate_assessment_of_muscular_strength_and_power
(15) Organização Mundial da Saúde. Obesidade [Internet]. 2009 [accessed on February
15, 2021]. Available at:
https://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/dicas/215_obesidade.html
(16) Penteado EG, Baratto I, Silva R. Comparação entre o Índice de Massa Corporal e
o percentual de gordura na avaliação do estado nutricional de atletas do futsal
masculino. En: Anais da SIEPE, Semana de Integração Ensino, Pesquisa e
Extensão [Internet]. 2009 [accessed on February 15, 2021]. Available at:
http://www.rbne.com.br/index.php/rbne/article/view/978/729
(17) Creighton BC, Hyde PN, Maresh CM, Kraemer WJ, Phinney SD, Volek JS.
Paradox of hypercholesterolaemia in highly trained, keto-adapted athletes. BMJ
Open Sport & Exercise Medicine [Internet]. 2018 [accessed on February 15,
2021]; 4(1): 429-431. Available at:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6173254/
(18) Burke LM, Ross ML, Garvican-Lewis LA, Welvaert M, Heikura IA, Forbes SG
et al. Low carbohydrate, high fat diet impairs exercise economy and negates the
performance benefit from intensified training in elite race walkers. The Journal Of
Physiology [Internet]. 2017 [accessed on February 15, 2021]; 595(9): 2785-2807.
Available at: https://sci-hub.se/10.1113/JP273230
(19) Mcswiney FT, Wardrop B, Hyde PN, Lafountain RA, Volek JS, Doyle L. Keto-
adaptation enhances exercise performance and body composition responses to
training in endurance athletes. Metabolism [Internet]. 2018 [accessed on February
15, 2021]; 81: 25-34. Available at: https://sci-
hub.se/10.1016/j.metabol.2017.10.010
13

(2022) MLSHN, 2(2.)

 Grando, I.

(20) Maciejewska D, Michalczyk M, Czerwińska-Rogowska M, Banaszczak M,

Ryterska K, Jakubczyk K, et al. Seeking Optimal Nutrition for Healthy Body Mass
Reduction Among Former Athletes. Journal Of Human Kinetics [Internet]. 2017
[accessed on February 15, 2021]; 60(1): 63-75. Available at: https://sci-
hub.se/10.1515/hukin-2017-0090
(21) czyk M, Zajac A, Mikolajec K, Zydek G, Langfort J. No Modification in Blood
Lipoprotein Concentration but Changes in Body Composition After 4 Weeks of
Low Carbohydrate Diet (LCD) Followed by 7 Days of Carbohydrate Loading in
Basketball Players. Journal Of Human Kinetics [Internet]. 2018 [accessed on
February 15, 2021]; 65(1): 125-137. Available at:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6341968/
(22) Hearris M, Hammond K, Fell J, Morton J. Regulation of Muscle Glycogen
Metabolism during Exercise: implications for endurance performance and training
adaptations. Nutrients [Internet]. 2018 [accessed on February 15, 2021]; 10(3):
298-303. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5872716/
(23) Rothschild J, Earnest C. Dietary Manipulations Concurrent to Endurance
Training. Journal Of Functional Morphology And Kinesiology [Internet]. 2018
[accessed on February 15, 2021]; 3(3): 41-44. Available at:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7739303/
(24) Dos Santos Guimarães D, Garcia ER, Dos Santos AF. Análise da composição
corporal em praticantes de musculação introduzidos à dieta lowcarb
hipocalórica. RBONE [Internet]. 2020 [accessed on May 27, 2021]; 14(85): 161-
169. Available at:
http://www.rbone.com.br/index.php/rbone/article/view/1201/947
(25) Fiuza LS. Dietas lowcarb em praticantes de treinamento resistido: uma visão do
praticante [Trabalho de Conclusão de Curso] [Internet]. Mangabeira (BA):
Faculdade Maria Milza; 2019. [accessed on May 27, 2021]. Available at:
http://131.0.244.66:8082/jspui/handle/123456789/1937
(26) Francisco SC. Impacto de uma dieta lowcarb no peso corporal e hábitos
alimentares de indivíduos com excesso de peso – follow up 1 ano [Dissertation]
[Internet]. Lisboa: Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de Lisboa; 2018.
[accessed on November 19, 2020]. Available at:
https://repositorio.ul.pt/bitstream/10451/39307/1/11996_Tese.pdf
(27) Leite RB. Intervenção dietética hipoglicídica x supercompensação de carboidratos
em atletas corredores de rua: análise da composição corporal e performance
[Trabalho de Conclusão de Curso] [Internet]. Cuité (PB): Universidade Federal
de Campina Grande; 2019. [accessed on May 27, 2021]. Available at:
http://dspace.sti.ufcg.edu.br:8080/xmlui/bitstream/handle/riufcg/8199/RAYLAN
%20BATISTA%20LEITE%20-
%20TCC%20NUTRI%c3%87%c3%83O%202019.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed
=y
(28) Hashimoto Y, Fukuda T, Oyabu C, Tanaka, Asano M, Yamazaki M, et al. Impact
of low-carbohydrate diet on body composition: meta- analysis of randomized
controlled studies. Obesity Reviews [Internet]. 2016 [accessed on May 27, 2021];
17(6): 499-509. Available at:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/obr.12405
(29) Perroni COA, De Moura BM, Panza VSP. Efeito da dieta cetogênica na
capacidade de endurance e na utilização de substratos energéticos no
exercício. RBNE - Revista Brasileira de Nutrição Esportiva [Internet]. 2018

14
 Effect of low-carb diet on body composition of individuals practicing bodybuilding with strength training

[accessed on May 27, 2021]; 12(73): 574-589. Available at:

http://www.rbne.com.br/index.php/rbne/article/view/1084
(30) Lacerda, RMCP, Tavares RL. Efeito de uma dieta restritiva em praticantes de
Crossfit. Revista Campo do Saber [Internet]. 2020 [accessed on May 27, 2021];
3(2): 152-166. Available at:
https://periodicos.iesp.edu.br/index.php/campodosaber/article/view/260/220
(31) Astrup A, Hjorth MF. Low-fat or low carb for weight loss? It depends on your
glucose metabolism. EBioMedicine [Internet]. 2017 [accessed on May 27, 2021];
22: 20-21. Available at: https://www.thelancet.com/article/S2352-
3964(17)30264-5/fulltext
(32) Kabisch S, Bather S, Dambeck U, Kemper M, Gerbracht, Honsek C, et al. Os
escores de gordura do fígado refletem moderadamente as mudanças de
intervenção no conteúdo de gordura do fígado por uma dieta de baixo teor de
gordura, mas não por uma dieta de baixo carboidrato. Nutrientes [Internet]. 2018
[accessed on May 27, 2021]; 10(2): 157. Available at:
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/10/2/157
(33) Brown GA, Swendener AM, Shaw BS, Shaw I. Comparison of anthropometric
and metabolic responses to a short-term carbohydrate-restricted diet and exercise
versus a traditional diet and exercise. African Journal for Physical
HealthEducation, Recreation & Dance [Internet]. 2010 [accessed on May 27,
2021]; 16(4). Available at:
https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajpherd/article/view/63390
(34) Araujo MLD, Lima Barreto CC, Ferreira Lima, COM, Vagner Marcelino JD,
Cabral PC, Costa AS. Estudo randomizado de intervenção com dieta
hiperproteicavs dieta de alto teor de carboidrato em idosas com excesso de peso
submetidas a treino de força. Nutrición clínica y dietética hospitalaria [Internet].
2020 [accessed on May 27, 2021]; 40(1): 149-153. Available at:
https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=7390077
(35) Marques DDA, Alves RDM. Dieta lowcarb high fat e seus efeitos no esporte de
resistência aeróbica. Anais SIMPAC [Internet]. 2019 [accessed on May 27, 2021];
10(1): 347-351. Available at:
https://academico.univicosa.com.br/revista/index.php/RevistaSimpac/article/vie
w/1060https://academico.univicosa.com.br/revista/index.php/RevistaSimpac/arti
cle/view/1060

Reception date: 03/19/2022

Revision date: 04/08/2022
Acceptance date: 07/12/2022

15

(2022) MLSHN, 2(2.)