A very small and short-term study found that aerobic exercise during a severe calorie deficit preserved muscle function, increasing mitochondrial protein synthesis in muscle tissue. Myofibrillar and sarcoplasmic protein synthesis was unchanged. Muscle collagen decreased, producing a more 'youthful' muscle composition.
Summary: https://www.sciencealert.com/working-out-while-losing-weight-keeps-muscles-young-study-finds
Original paper: https://faseb.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1096/fj.202502384RR

