Effects of eight weeks of time-restricted feeding (16/8) on basal metabolism, maximal strength, body composition, inflammation, and cardiovascular risk factors in resistance-trained males

Summary

This eight-week randomized trial enrolled 34 resistance-trained males and assigned them either to a 16:8 time-restricted-feeding pattern (eating window 1pm to 8pm) or to a normal-eating-pattern control while continuing standardized resistance training across both arms. The TRF group showed reductions in fat mass, fasting glucose and insulin, IGF-1, leptin, and inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNFα), and an improved testosterone-to-cortisol ratio, while maintaining muscle area and maximal strength on standard one-rep-max testing. Total energy and protein intake were matched approximately between groups. The study is one of the cleaner demonstrations that an intermittent-fasting-style eating pattern can be combined with resistance training without performance decrement and with favorable body-composition and biomarker changes in already-trained adults.