Glucagon-like Peptide 1 (GLP-1) Receptor Agonist Therapy and Exercise Training in People With Obesity

The use of glucagon-like peptide receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) may have clinically important effects on skeletal muscle mass (SMM), and physical function. The effects of exercise training in conjunction with GLP-1 RA therapy on these outcomes has not been studied. Additionally, most people treated with GLP-1-based weight loss medications stop taking these medications within 1 year of initiating treatment. This is an important clinical concern because weight regain can occur after weight loss pharmacotherapy is stopped and the impact of stopping GLP-1 RA therapy on physical and metabolic function has not been studied. In this study, the investigators will conduct a 2-year randomized clinical trial to evaluate body composition, muscle, physical and metabolic function, muscle strength and appetite control and reward signaling in the brain in response to 1-year of GLP-1 RA therapy, with or without exercise training, and subsequent treatment cessation on muscle and appetite-related outcomes assessed 1-year after stopping treatment.