Time-restricted feeding with resistance training is not superior to conventional feeding for body composition and muscle strength: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Anderson M O H Verdi, Jaqueline M Soares, Michel J Andrade et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined time-restricted feeding (TRF) versus conventional diets in healthy adults aged 18 or older undertaking resistance training. It included five randomized controlled trials with 120 participants. Fat-free mass was consistent between groups at the end of the interventions; the pooled estimate was -0.48kg (95% CI: -2.52 to 1.56), with no statistically significant difference from zero. Only two studies reported statistically significant differences in body weight and fat mass. Overall, the review found no statistically significant evidence that TRF increases fat-free mass in this population.
Key findings
- Five randomized trials included 120 healthy adults undergoing resistance training.
- The pooled fat-free-mass estimate was -0.48kg (95% CI: -2.52 to 1.56), not significantly different from zero.
- Only two studies found statistically significant differences in body weight and fat mass.
Why it matters
For people combining resistance training with dietary strategies, preserving fat-free mass is an important consideration. These findings do not show that restricting eating to a time window improves fat-free mass compared with conventional diets. They help frame TRF as an option without demonstrated superiority for this outcome in the studied population.
What to keep in mind
The review included only five studies and 120 participants, limiting the evidence base.