Reported 12-Week Trial Finds Similar Strength Gains but Greater Limb-Muscle Gain in Omnivores

Separating strength improvements from muscle-mass differences

According to ScienceAlert, participants followed either a vegetarian or omnivorous diet for three months, trained with resistance exercises three times weekly, and were advised to consume at least 1.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight daily. The account says both groups met the protein target on average and improved in strength and physical performance, while omnivores gained more limb muscle mass.

The account does not provide comparable pre-trial muscle-mass values for the two diet groups. It describes outcomes after a 12-week intervention rather than a broader comparison of their prior health or diets.

ScienceAlert reports that both groups improved in strength and physical performance, but limb muscle mass reportedly rose by 0.66 kg in omnivores versus 0.38 kg in vegetarians.

The reported result separates strength and physical-performance improvements from the measured difference in limb muscle mass. The account does not establish why the muscle-mass difference occurred, and says the predominantly White, healthy, highly educated cohort may limit how broadly the findings apply.