A randomized controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of early time-restricted eating on muscle performance and body composition in active, resistance trained adults. Two parallel groups will be randomly assigned to either the early time-restricted eating or a control group. All participants will be asked to maintain their usual exercise routines during the 6 week intervention period. Muscle strength and endurance are the primary outcomes. Body composition (body weight, fat mass, fat-free mass and percent body fat), hunger and satiety ratings, sleep quality, energy intake, diet quality, macronutrient composition and adherence are secondary outcome measures.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults between 18 - 50 years
• Performing resistance training at least twice per week (for ≥1 yr)
• BMI ≥ 18.5

Exclusion Criteria:

• Currently sedentary or not engaged in resistance training.
• Major surgeries in muscles/joints during the past 3 months
• BMI < 18.5
• Ineligible to engage in physical activity according to 2022 Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire for everyone (PAR-Q+)
• Take anabolic steroids or on hormone replacement therapy.
• Current smoker.
• Following restrictive diets (Vegan, vegetarian, intermittent fasting, Paleo, calorie restriction, keto/ low carbohydrate diet or any other restrictive diets)
• Active cancer or cancer requiring treatment in the past 2 years (except non-melanoma skin cancer).
• Musculoskeletal disorders
• Diagnosed with cardiovascular disease including myocardial infarction, heart surgery, heart failure and had a heart transplant.
• Have pacemaker or metal implants
• Diagnosed diabetes (type 1 or 2).
• Diagnosed hypertension or high blood pressure (>130/90).
• Diagnosed eating disorder or score ≥ 20 on Eating Attitudes Test -26 (EAT26) survey
• Missing limbs/ have prosthetics
• Had surgery in joints/muscle in the past year.
• Received medical advise against exercising due to medical reasons.
• On medication for conditions related to the thyroid gland
• Unwilling to commit for a 7-week study
• Likely to move away from participating clinic before trial completed
• Unable or unwilling to give informed consent
• Another household member is a participant or staff member in the trial
• Unwilling to accept treatment assignment by randomization
• Current or anticipated participation in another intervention research project that would interfere with the intervention offered in the trial
• Pregnant or < 6 months since giving birth.
• Any other condition which, in opinion of investigators, that would adversely affect conduct of the trial.

We will share the de-identified participant data used in the published manuscript/s by depositing these data in the Open Science Framework (OSF) repository. The data shared will include the sociodemographic data and the outcomes published in the manuscripts. The protocol and statistical analysis plan will be shared as supplementary material through the journal where the study if published, if allowed.

We agree to deposit outcome data into the OSF repository as soon as possible but no later than within two years after the last publication.