Author(s): Paoli A, Grimaldi K, D’Agostino D, Cenci l, Moro T, et al
Despite the increasing use of very low carbohydrate ketogenic diets (VLCKD) in weight control and management of the metabolic syndrome there is a paucity of research about effects of VLCKD on sport performance. Ketogenic diets may be useful in sports that include weight class divisions and the aim of our study was to investigate the influence of VLCKD on explosive strength performance.
Methods8 athletes, elite artistic gymnasts (age 20.9 ± 5.5 yrs) were recruited. We analyzed body composition and various performance aspects (hanging straight leg raise, ground push up, parallel bar dips, pull up, squat jump, countermovement jump, 30 sec continuous jumps) before and after 30 days of a modified ketogenic diet. The diet was based on green vegetables, olive oil, fish and meat plus dishes composed of high quality protein and virtually zero carbohydrates, but which mimicked their taste, with the addition of some herbal extracts. During the VLCKD the athletes performed the normal training program. After three months the same protocol, tests were performed before and after 30 days of the athletes’ usual diet (a typically western diet, WD). A one-way Anova for repeated measurements was used.
ResultsNo significant differences were detected between VLCKD and WD in all strength tests. Significant differences were found in body weight and body composition: after VLCKD there was a decrease in body weight (from 69.6 ± 7.3 Kg to 68.0 ± 7.5 Kg) and fat mass (from 5.3 ± 1.3 Kg to 3.4 ± 0.8 Kg p < 0.001) with a non-significant increase in muscle mass.
ConclusionsDespite concerns of coaches and doctors about the possible detrimental effects of low carbohydrate diets on athletic performance and the well known importance of carbohydrates there are no data about VLCKD and strength performance. The undeniable and sudden effect of VLCKD on fat loss may be useful for those athletes who compete in sports based on weight class. We have demonstrated that using VLCKD for a relatively short time period (i.e. 30 days) can decrease body weight and body fat without negative effects on strength performance in high level athletes.
Referred From: https://doi.org/10.1186/1550-2783-9-34
Author(s): Samaha FF, Iqbal N, Seshadri P, Chicano KL, Daily DA, et al.
Author(s): Yancy WS Jr, Olsen MK, Guyton JR, Bakst RP, Westman EC
Author(s): Wycherley TP, Brinkworth GD, Keogh JB, Noakes M, Buckley JD, et al.
Author(s): Brinkworth GD, Noakes M, Buckley JD, Keogh JB, Clifton PM
Author(s): LaGory EL, Giaccia AJ
Author(s): Klement RJ, Kammerer U
Author(s): Fine EJ, Segal-Isaacson CJ, Feinman RD, Herszkopf S, Romano MC, et al.
Author(s): Paoli A, Grimaldi K, Toniolo L, Canato M, Bianco A, et al.
Author(s): Westman EC, Yancy WS, Edman JS, Tomlin KF, Perkins CE
Author(s): Freeman JM, Kossoff EH, Hartman AL
Author(s): Noto H, Goto A, Tsujimoto T, Noda M
Author(s): Mady MA, Kossoff EH, McGregor AL, Wheless JW, Pyzik PL, et al.
Author(s): Bertoli S, Trentani C, Ferraris C, De Giorgis V, Veggiotti P, et al.
Author(s): Brinkworth GD, Buckley JD, Noakes M, Clifton PM, Wilson CJ
Author(s): Rho JM, Rogawski MA
Author(s): Noh HS, Lee HP, Kim DW, Kang SS, Cho GJ, et al.
Author(s): Astrup A, Meinert Larsen T, Harper A
Author(s): Boden G, Sargrad K, Homko C, Mozzoli M, Stein TP
Author(s): Sumithran P, Prendergast LA, Delbridge E, Purcell K, Shulkes A, et al.
Author(s): Rolls J
Author(s): Mady MA, Kossoff EH, McGregor AL, Wheless JW, Pyzik PL, et al.