# Thermogenic Supplementation and Fat Loss in Resistance-Trained Males: A Randomized Controlled Trial
## 4 Discussion  
The purpose of the present investigation was to address the gap in the current literature on chronic usage of a thermogenic supplement over an 8-week resistance training program on body composition and maximal strength. Our primary finding included significant reductions in fat mass and body fat percentage in the TS group as compared to the placebo group. Prior research has demonstrated acute thermogenic supplement usage leading to increased RMR and enhanced fat oxidation. Our observations extend these findings and further elucidate that continued usage may lead to significant reductions in body fat [5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12]. As these acute increases in resting metabolic rate are sustained over time, individuals utilizing thermogenics may experience chronic reductions in body fat beyond what may be expressed in a traditional RT protocol. \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c} \hline
**Measure** & **TS** & **Placebo** \\ \hline Body-Mass (kg) & & \\ Pre & \(78.2\pm 11.2\) & \(79.2\pm 11.6\) \\ Post & \(78.7\pm 10.5\) & \(80.4\pm 11.7\) \\ \(\Delta\) & \(0.50\) (\(-0.24\), 1.24) & \(1.23\) (0.42, 2.05) \\ Fat-Mass (kg) * & & \\ Pre & \(9.5\pm 4.5\) & \(9.6\pm 4.7\) \\ Post & \(8.9\pm 4.0\) & \(9.7\pm 4.9\) \\ \(\Delta\) & \(-0.65\) (\(-1.15\), \(-0.14\)) & \(0.12\) (\(-0.40\), 0.64) \\ Body Fat \% * & & \\ Pre & \(12\pm 4.8\) & \(11.8\pm 4.4\) \\ Post & \(11.1\pm 4.2\) & \(11.7\pm 4.5\) \\ \(\Delta\) & \(-0.89\) (\(-1.47\), \(-0.32\)) & \(-0.08\) (\(-0.67\), 0.52) \\ Lean Body Mass (kg) & & \\ Pre & \(68.7\pm 9.2\) & \(69.5\pm 8.4\) \\ Post & \(69.8\pm 8.5\) & \(70.7\pm 8.3\) \\ \(\Delta\) & \(1.15\) (0.53, 1.77) & \(1.12\) (0.29, 1.95) \\ Squat Strength (kg) & & \\ Pre & \(123.6\pm 19\) & \(131.2\pm 23.7\) \\ Post & \(140.5\pm 16.5\) & \(149.7\pm 21.1\) \\ \(\Delta\) & \(16.87\) (12.48, 21.26) & \(18.47\) (12.46, 24.48) \\ Relative Squat Strength (kg/kg) & & \\ Pre & \(1.6\pm 0.2\) & \(1.7\pm 0.2\) \\ Post & \(1.8\pm 0.2\) & \(1.9\pm 0.2\) \\ \(\Delta\) & \(0.21\) (0.15, 0.27) & \(0.21\) (0.14, 0.28) \\ Bench Strength (kg) & & \\ Pre & \(95.0\pm 17.7\) & \(100.9\pm 10.7\) \\ Post & \(102.8\pm 16.9\) & \(108.1\pm 12.0\) \\ \(\Delta\) & \(7.80\) (6.09, 9.50) & \(7.13\) (3.33, 10.94) \\ Relative Bench Strength (kg/kg) & & \\ Pre & \(1.3\pm 0.2\) & \(1.3\pm 0.1\) \\ Post & \(1.3\pm 0.1\) & \(1.4\pm 0.2\) \\ \(\Delta\) & \(0.09\) (0.06, 0.12) & \(0.07\) (0.03, 0.12) \\ \hline \end{tabular}  
* \(p<0.05\), results are expressed as mean \(\pm\) SD or mean (95% confidence interval).  
\end{table} 
Table 3: Body composition and strength differences. We hypothesize that caffeine is the primary ingredient responsible for the observed reductions in body fat, as it is well documented to significantly increase RMR [16; 22]. Sustained elevations in RMR over several weeks may lead to meaningful reductions in fat mass, as supported by the findings of the current study. However, the influence of each ingredient in the supplement with caffeine is presently unknown; thus, we cannot evaluate the potential synergistic effects of the combination of ingredients in thermogenic supplements to contribute to these fat loss effects. As caffeine is a known CNS stimulant [16; 22] and lipolytic agent [13; 17; 18; 19], its impact in addition to commonly included thermogenic ingredient compounds such as green tea, L-carnitine, maca and gymema sylvestre leaf extract may enhance its fat-burning capabilities, providing sustained increases in RMR and fatty acid oxidation. As these mechanisms remain elevated, the body may increase its overall energy expenditure and shift its reliance toward stored fat as a primary fuel source. Elevated RMR ensures that more calories are burned throughout the day, even during periods of rest, while enhanced fatty acid oxidation facilitates the mobilization and breakdown of fat stores to be used for energy. This synergy creates a metabolic environment that promotes greater fat loss over time, beyond what may be achieved with RT alone.