Figure 1

Experimental Design. This figure presents the experimental design. During the first four days of the experimental phase (D1-4), all groups were in energy balance, with two groups consuming 0.9 g protein·kg body weight^-1·d^-1 and the third group consuming 1.8 g protein·kg body weight^-1·d^-1. Beginning on day 5, all volunteers increased their energy expenditure by 1,000 kcals·d^-1 via exercise. In one group assigned to the diet containing 0.9 g protein·kg body weight^-1·d^-1, the increased energy expenditure was accompanied by concomitant increase in energy intake to maintain energy balance during the intervention period (D5-11) (BAL-MP). In the other two groups, who were assigned to diets containing 0.9 g protein·kg body weight^-1·d^-1 (DEF-MP) or 1.8 g protein·kg body weight^-1·d^-1 (DEF-HP), energy intake remained unchanged.