Understanding GLP-1: The Latest Research from WHOOP with Dr. Greg Grosicki
Mar 12, 2025
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Dr. Greg Grosicki, a senior research scientist at WHOOP with a PhD in Human Bioenergetics and a passion for exercise physiology, sheds light on GLP-1 medications. He discusses their influence on weight loss and heart health, as well as the critical interplay between these treatments and exercise. The conversation explores the rising popularity of GLP-1 medications for obesity, the challenges in accessibility, and the importance of combining them with lifestyle changes. Greg also highlights how WHOOP's data can enhance our understanding of these therapies.
GLP-1 medications, initially for diabetes, show promise for rapid weight loss but require caution due to potential muscle loss in older adults.
WHOOP's unique integration of data science and exercise physiology enables innovative research to enhance health and performance across diverse demographics.
Sustaining weight loss from GLP-1 medications relies on lifestyle choices, including physical activity and resistance training, to counteract potential muscle loss.
Deep dives
Understanding Sarcopenia and GLP-1 Medications
The term sarcopenia, meaning poverty of flesh, is crucial in discussing the effects of GLP-1 medications, particularly in older adults. These medications can lead to significant weight loss, with estimates suggesting that nearly half of the total weight lost can come from muscle. This is concerning, especially for individuals aged 40 and above, as they are already at a higher risk for muscle loss due to aging. The implications of muscle loss for strength, health, and overall quality of life are still being researched, highlighting the need for caution when using these medications.
The Excitement and Promise of Whoop
The Whoop platform represents a unique opportunity in the field of performance science by integrating data science with exercise physiology. The collaborative effort among its cross-functional teams facilitates innovative research, particularly in understanding the effects of GLP-1 on health and performance. The speaker emphasizes the team atmosphere at Whoop, which allows for tackling significant health questions and providing actionable insights. This teamwork enables researchers to uncover possibilities for enhancing health spans across various demographics, beyond just elite athletes.
The Evolution of GLP-1 Research
GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) medications were initially developed for diabetes management but have since gained notoriety for their weight-loss effects. Research has revealed that these drugs can lead to a reduction in body weight by as much as 10% within twelve weeks, which is promising compared to clinical trials showing slower results over a longer period. Furthermore, the medications' ability to curb appetite and induce feelings of satiety provides insight into their mechanisms of action. Continuous research is being conducted to explore additional benefits and potential applications of GLP-1, including effects on cardiovascular health and neurodegenerative diseases.
Challenges of GLP-1 and Lifestyle Impact
While GLP-1 medications can significantly aid in weight loss, the importance of lifestyle choices remains crucial for sustaining these benefits. Many individuals discontinue use of GLP-1 drugs due to high costs rather than side effects, highlighting a critical gap in accessibility. Additionally, users are encouraged to adopt health-promoting behaviors, including increased physical activity and improved sleep quality, to maximize the medications' effects. Analysis of participants taking GLP-1 medications suggests those who engage in regular exercise may mitigate some negative cardiovascular impacts associated with the drugs.
The Importance of Muscle Preservation
As muscle loss could reach levels akin to ten years of aging in individuals taking GLP-1 medications, preserving muscle tissue becomes essential for maintaining health and vitality. Resistance training and high-intensity interval training are recommended to counteract potential adverse effects of these medications. Engaging in diverse exercise regimens can help maintain muscle mass, strength, and overall health as one ages. The conversation emphasizes that taking GLP-1 should not overshadow the necessity for a balanced fitness strategy involving both cardiovascular and strength training.
Are GLP-1 medications the future of weight loss? On this week’s episode, WHOOP Global Head of Human Performance Principal Scientist, Kristen Holmes, sits down with Dr. Greg Grosicki, WHOOP Senior Research Scientist, to discuss all things GLP-1 and GLP-1 Receptor Agonists (RAs). Dr. Greg Grosicki is a member of the Performance Science team at WHOOP, an accomplished IRONMAN athlete, and holds a PhD in Human Bioenergetics and a Masters Degree in Data Science. Dr. Grosicki’s background focusses on exercise physiology and aims to help people live longer and healthier in order to perform at their peak. Dr. Grosicki recently led a study at WHOOP that looked into the effects of GLP-1 RAs on heart health and responses in health behaviors.
Kristen and Dr. Grosicki discuss Dr. Grosicki’s journey to WHOOP and his research background (1:32), using exercise physiology to help people live longer and healthier (02:52), and how research at WHOOP will help you live better (06:07). Dr. Grosicki dives into the WHOOP GLP-1 study (10:54), GLP-1 medications access (20:48), and what people should expect from a GLP-1RA (23:09). Kristen and Dr. Grosicki break down GLP-1 RAs, their relationships with food addiction (24:30), Hollywood (26:16), and the idea of microdosing drugs like ozempic (27:10). The episode continues, providing an understanding for the importance of studying GLP-1 and using WHOOP as a tool for data collection (28:20), the study’s results (32:56), and identifying research bias (35:55). Kristen and Dr. Grosicki discuss the relationship of GLP-1 and cardiovascular health (39:07), the impact of exercise on cardiovascular health (40:28) and maintaining muscle tissue when using GLP-1RAs (43:42).
