Tirzepatide combined with structured exercise aims to preserve muscle morphology and function in overweight/obese individuals

Weight loss, especially with GLP-1/GIP agonists like tirzepatide, often leads to significant muscle mass loss, which can impair physical function and metabolic health. Current weight management strategies often overlook specific interventions to counteract this muscle loss. This trial addresses the critical need to optimize body composition during pharmacotherapy-induced weight reduction, aiming to preserve skeletal muscle and improve muscle quality and physical function in overweight and obese individuals. Combining tirzepatide with structured exercise could offer a more holistic approach to obesity treatment.

This is a 24-week randomized controlled trial involving 108 participants who are overweight or obese and initiating tirzepatide therapy. Participants will be randomized to either a home-based progressive resistance exercise program plus pharmacotherapy or pharmacotherapy alone. The exercise arm involves a 20-week supervised in-person session 4 times a week. The primary outcome is change in thigh muscle thickness and echo intensity, assessed by ultrasonography.

As this is a recruiting randomized controlled trial, no results are available yet. The study aims to determine if the combination of tirzepatide with structured exercise can mitigate skeletal muscle loss and improve physical function during weight loss. Specific outcomes to be measured include changes in thigh muscle thickness and echo intensity via ultrasonography, alongside assessments of muscle quality and functional capacity. The trial is designed to provide quantitative data on the efficacy of exercise in preserving muscle during GLP-1/GIP agonist therapy.