Adherence to a ketogenic low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet is associated with diminished training quality in elite racewalkers
Journal article
McKay, Alannah K. A., Ross, Megan L. R., Tee, Nicolin, Sharma, Avish P., Leckey, Jill J. and Burke, Louise M.. (2023). Adherence to a ketogenic low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet is associated with diminished training quality in elite racewalkers. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance. 18(7), pp. 686-694. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2022-0351
Authors | McKay, Alannah K. A., Ross, Megan L. R., Tee, Nicolin, Sharma, Avish P., Leckey, Jill J. and Burke, Louise M. |
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Abstract | Purpose: To examine the effects of a high-carbohydrate diet (HCHO), periodized-carbohydrate (CHO) diet (PCHO), and ketogenic low-CHO high-fat diet (LCHF) on training capacity. Methods: Elite male racewalkers completed 3 weeks of periodic training while adhering to their dietary intervention. Twenty-nine data sets were collected from 21 athletes. Each week, 6 mandatory training sessions were completed, with additional sessions performed at the athlete’s discretion. Mandatory sessions included an interval session (10 × 1-km efforts on a 6-min cycle), tempo session (14 km with a 450-m elevation gain), 2 long walks (25–40 km), and 2 easy walks (8–12 km) where “sleep-low” and “train-low” dietary strategies were employed for PCHO. Racewalking speed, heart rate, rating of perceived exhaustion, and blood metabolites were collected around key sessions. Results: LCHF covered less total distance than HCHO and PCHO (P < .001); however, no differences in training load between groups were evident (P = .285). During the interval sessions, walking speed was slower in LCHF (P = .001), equating to a 2.8% and 5.6% faster speed in HCHO and PCHO, respectively. LCHF was also 3.2% slower in completing the tempo session than HCHO and PCHO (P = .001). Heart rate was higher (P = .002) and lactate concentrations were lower (P < .001) in LCHF compared to other groups, despite slower walking speeds during the interval session. No between-groups differences in rating of perceived exhaustion were evident (P = .077). Conclusion: Athletes adhering to an LCHF diet showed impaired training capacity relative to their high-CHO-supported counterparts, completing lower training volumes at slower speeds, with higher heart rates. |
Keywords | ketones; periodized; lactate; endurance training; CHO availability; athlete |
Year | 2023 |
Journal | International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance |
Journal citation | 18 (7), pp. 686-694 |
Publisher | Human Kinetics Publishers |
ISSN | 1555-0265 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2022-0351 |
PubMed ID | 37263595 |
Scopus EID | 2-s2.0-85164047179 |
Page range | 686-694 |
Funder | Australian Catholic University (ACU) |
Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) | |
Publisher's version | License All rights reserved File Access Level Controlled |
Output status | Published |
Publication dates | |
Online | 01 Jun 2023 |
Publication process dates | |
Deposited | 02 Apr 2025 |
Grant ID | 201300800 |
https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/918q0/adherence-to-a-ketogenic-low-carbohydrate-high-fat-diet-is-associated-with-diminished-training-quality-in-elite-racewalkers
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