Preserving Lean Mass During GLP-1 Weight Loss with Exercise and Protein

GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide and tirzepatide are highly effective for obesity treatment, leading to significant weight loss. However, a common concern is the concomitant loss of lean body mass (muscle), which can negatively impact strength, metabolism, and overall health. Current research lacks clear guidelines on how to effectively mitigate lean mass loss while maximizing fat loss during GLP-1 therapy.

As this study is NOT_YET_RECRUITING and scheduled to commence in 2026, there are no findings to report yet. However, the study is meticulously designed to quantify the effects of the proposed interventions on several key outcomes. The primary aim is to determine whether resistance exercise and/or protein intake can preserve lean mass and improve physical function in patients with obesity initiating semaglutide/tirzepatide therapy. The researchers will also establish whether these interventions provide concomitant benefits on glycaemic control (blood sugar regulation), lipids (fats in the blood), liver function, quality of life, physical activity levels, and sleep patterns. The study will collect data to compare the efficacy of exercise alone, protein alone, and their combination against a control group (implicitly, standard GLP-1 therapy without these specific interventions).