2.3. Testing
RET
CHOLINE DEFICIENCY
Following the orientation, 1RM, peak power, body composition, resting metabolic rate (RMR), and blood tests were conducted. The 1RMs for all the exercises included in the RET program were measured by gradually increasing exercise weights until the maximum resistance, at which only one repetition was completed with proper form in full range of motion, was reached [Body composition was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), using Lunar Prodigy (General Electric, Fairfield, CT, USA), and RMR was measured with ParvoMedics TrueMax 2400 Metabolic Measurement System (Sandy, UT, USA) in the morning after an overnight fast. Fasted (12 h, overnight) blood samples were collected from antecubital veins, and blood lipid/metabolic panels were run with standard methods at St. Joseph Regional Health Center’s CDC certified laboratory (Bryan, TX, USA). The effects of choline intake on clinical markers of liver/muscle damage and blood lipid profile were examined since choline deficiency is shown to cause liver/muscle damage and perturb lipid metabolism [