Higher intakes of low‐fat milk combined with 12 weeks of endurance training does not result in lower fat mass and higher lean mass.

Previous studies showed that a low‐fat milk intervention combined with resistance training resulted in lower fat mass and higher lean mass in males and females. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of combining increased low‐fat milk intake with endurance exercise on fat and lean mass. 32 healthy young males were randomized and blindly assigned into one two groups 1) MILK (3 additional servings of low‐fat milk, 750 mL) or 2) CHO (maltodextrin beverage, isocaloric to MILK). All participants completed a 12‐week endurance‐training program. The exercise program consisted of cycling 1 hour per day at ~60% VO2 peak, 5 days per week for 12 weeks. Whole body fat and lean mass were determined using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) that was performed before and after training. 23 participants completed the study. Changes in body mass (MILK: 0.39±0.61 kg; CHO: 0.30±0.77 kg), fat mass (MILK: −420.7±522.1 g; CHO: 99.6±794.8 g) and lean mass (MILK: 831.2±509.8 g; CHO: 624.9±434.6 g) were similar between the 2 groups. Findings to date suggest that combining a higher intake of low‐fat milk with 12 weeks of endurance training does not improve changes in body composition. Further analyses are ongoing. Funding provided by The Dairy Farmers of Canada.