Weight loss is not only a goal of those with excess body fat, but is also the desire of many athletes and fitness enthusiasts at different times of the year and for different sport seasons. Different strategies have been used in the past to address the weight loss goal. While wrestlers and athletes participating in other weight-specific sports historically have used rapid weight loss with aggressive techniques, others require the maintenance of lean mass for successful participation, like rugby and basketball players. Fitness enthusiasts also tend to want to remain muscular when reducing body fat so bodybuilding tactics have been used to slowly lose weight over 12-16 weeks. In an article published in the International Journal of Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism (2011) researchers investigated the effect of two different weight-loss rates on body composition and strength and power-related performance in elite athletes. Garthe et al compared reducing body weight at a gradual rate of 0.7% categorized as slow reduction (SR) vs. a more aggressive 1.4% fast reduction (FR) and the resultant effects on body composition, strength, and power output. Twenty-four athletes were randomized to SR and FR groups. Both groups followed an energy restricted diet (mean reduction in energy was 19% SR and 30% FR) aimed at the weekly weight loss goal. During the intervention all athletes included 4 resistance-training sessions per week using their normal training regimen consistent with their sport. The mean time spent in caloric restriction was 8.5 weeks for SR and 5.3 weeks for the FR group, respectively. Investigators measured BW, body composition using DEXA, 1-repetition-maximum (1RM) tests, 40-m sprint, and countermovement jump before and after the intervention. Mean body weight decreased by 5.6% in the SR group and 5.5% in the FR group whereas fat mass went down by 31% in the SR group and 21% in the FR group, respectively. Interestingly lean body mass increased in SR group by 2.1% as did strength, whereas lean mass was relatively unchanged in FR group. Authors concluded that athletes who want to gain LBM and increase 1RM strength during a weight loss period combined with strength training should aim for a weekly BW loss of 0.7%. (International Journal of Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, April 2011)