A2 Review article, Literature review, Systematic review
The Effect of a Ketogenic Low-Carbohydrate, High-Fat Diet on Aerobic Capacity and Exercise Performance in Endurance Athletes : A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (2021)

Cao, J., Lei, S., Wang, X., & Cheng, S. (2021). The Effect of a Ketogenic Low-Carbohydrate, High-Fat Diet on Aerobic Capacity and Exercise Performance in Endurance Athletes : A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients, 13(8), Article 2896. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13082896

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Cao, Jingguo; Lei, Siman; Wang, Xiuqiang; Cheng, Sulin

Journal or series: Nutrients

eISSN: 2072-6643

Publication year: 2021

Publication date: 23/08/2021

Volume: 13

Issue number: 8

Article number: 2896

Publisher: MDPI AG

Publication country: Switzerland

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13082896

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/77640

Abstract

A low-carbohydrate, high-fat (LCHF) diet has been proposed to enhance the fat utilization of muscle and the aerobic capacity of endurance athletes, thereby improving their exercise performance. However, it remains uncertain how the macronutrient intake shift from carbohydrate to fat affects endurance exercise training and performance. This study performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the effects of a ketogenic low-carbohydrate, high-fat (K-LCHF) diet on aerobic capacity and exercise performance among endurance athletes. Searches were carried out in five electronic databases, and we followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The search included studies using an LCHF diet as an intervention protocol and compared data on factors such as maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) from the graded exercise test. In this case, 10 studies met the criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. We did not find a significant effect of K-LCHF diet interventions on VO2max, time to exhaustion, HRmax or RPE. However, a significant overall effect in the substrate oxidation response to respiratory exchange rate was observed. The meta-analysis showed that K-LCHF diets did not affect aerobic capacity and exercise performance. Therefore, high-quality interventions of a K-LCHF diet are needed to illustrate its effect on various endurance training programs.

Keywords: ketogenic diet; aerobic capacity; endurance sports; systematic reviews; meta-analysis

Free keywords: ketogenic low-carbohydrate; high-fat diet; endurance athletes

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2021

JUFO rating: 1