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. 2024 Dec 15:17:11786388241299896.
doi: 10.1177/11786388241299896. eCollection 2024.

Effect of a Modern Palaeolithic Diet in Combination with a Sprint Interval Training on Metabolic and Performance-Related Parameters in Male Athletes: A Pilot Trial

Denise Zdzieblik  1 , Tobias Waldvogel  1 , Anna Zierke  1 , Albert Gollhofer  1 , Daniel König  2   3
Affiliations

Effect of a Modern Palaeolithic Diet in Combination with a Sprint Interval Training on Metabolic and Performance-Related Parameters in Male Athletes: A Pilot Trial

Denise Zdzieblik et al. Nutr Metab Insights. .

Abstract

Background: Although a palaeolithic diet promotes healthier food choices that aid in weight management and reduce cardiovascular risks, its effectiveness in endurance sports is still debated due to its typically low carbohydrate content.

Objective: This study examined the impact of a 6-week palaeolithic diet (PD-G) versus a mixed diet (MD-G), both paired with Sprint interval training (SIT), on various metabolic and performance-related parameters.

Methods: Body composition, time trial (TT) performance (covered distance during a 60-minute run on a 400-metre track) and changes in metabolic (respiratory exchange ratio [RER], substrate oxidation rates) and performance-related (time at ventilatory threshold [VT] and respiratory compensation point [RCP], maximum oxygen uptake (V̇O2max) and time to exhaustion [TTE]) parameters during a ramp incremental running test were assessed in 14 male endurance athletes. Additionally, Gastrointestinal Quality of Life index (GLQI) and perceptual responses to the diets [visual analogue scale (VAS)] were measured.

Results: After 6 weeks, both groups improved in TTE and distance covered in the 60-minute TT, without significant group differences. In the PD-G body weight, fat mass and systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased. At rest, RER and carbohydrate oxidation significantly decreased in the PD-G, with a tendency towards significance during exercise, while changes in fat oxidation rates were not statistically significant at rest and throughout the exercise test; in contrast, the MD-G exhibited smaller changes across these parameters.

Conclusion: In this investigation, a palaeolithic diet in combination with SIT appeared to have positive effects on fat mass, blood pressure and substrate utilization under resting conditions in a group of male endurance athletes. However, based on the current findings for performance metrics, a palaeolithic diet cannot be recommended unreservedly for healthy endurance athletes.

Keywords: Palaeolithic diet; endurance; fat oxidation; performance; ramp incremental test; respiratory exchange ratio; sprint interval training.

Plain language summary

Effect of modern Paleo diet on metabolism and performance in male endurance athletes Plain language summary: The paleo diet avoids processed foods and typically includes vegetables, fruits, nuts, roots, and meat. It generally minimizes dairy products, grains, legumes, salt and coffee, while excluding, sugar, processed oils and alcohol. Due to the healthier food choices, there is public interest in a paleo diet to improve health in daily life and sport. However, since carbohydrate-rich foods as grains, sugar and legumes are excluded, the positive effect on endurance is critically discussed. Studies in endurance athletes are limited. Therefore, the current trial investigated the effect of a paleo diet in combination with a supervised sprint interval programme on body composition, metabolism and performance in healthy male endurance athletes. The results were compared with a group that continued their regular eating habits and underwent the same exercise programme as the paleo diet group. After 6 weeks of intervention the paleo diet in combination with the sprint interval programme had a positive effect on fat mass, blood pressure and metabolism at rest. In regard of the performance tests both groups improved similarly. Based on the current findings for performance, a paleo diet cannot be recommended unreservedly for healthy athletes. Trial Registration: DRKS00025708.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author(s) declared the following potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Overview of the study schedule.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Flow chart of subject recruitment, randomization, and follow up.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Metabolic outcomes at baseline (grey) and after 6 weeks of intervention (black). (A) Changes in respiratory exchange ratio (RER), (B) changes in CHO oxidation rates, (C) changes in fat oxidation rates in the PD-G; (D) Changes in respiratory exchange ratio (RER), (E) changes in CHO oxidation rates, (F) changes in fat oxidation rates in the MD-G. Data shown as mean ± SD. *P < .05 Wilcoxon signed-rank test for differences between baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention. CHO. . .Carbohydrate; End. . .Power output at exhaustion.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Changes in (A) Gastrointestinal Quality of Life index (GLQI) Score; Changes in visual analogue scale (VAS) Scores. (B) General, (C) during physical activity, (D) gastrointestinal comfort. Data shown as mean ± SD at week 1 and week 6. PD-G (black), MD-G (grey). *P < .05 Wilcoxon signed-rank test for changes between baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention; #P < .05 Mann-Whitney U test for differences between groups.
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