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Cited by 172Diet and metabolism studiesMuscle metabolism and nutritionSports Performance and Training

Keto-adaptation enhances exercise performance and body composition responses to training in endurance athletes

McSwiney, Fionn T., Wardrop, Bruce, Hyde, Parker N., Lafountain, Richard A., Volek, Jeff S., Doyle, Lorna·2018·Metabolism
DOI 10.1016/j.metabol.2017.10.010
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Abstract

Background Low-carbohydrate diets have recently grown in popularity among endurance athletes, yet little is known about the long-term (>4wk) performance implications of consuming a low-carbohydrate high fat ketogenic diet (LCKD) in well-trained athletes.Methods Twenty male endurance-trained athletes (age 33±11y, body mass 80±11kg; BMI 24.7±3.1kg/m 2) who habitually consumed a carbohydrate-based diet, self-selected into a high-carbohydrate (HC) group (n=11, %carbohydrate:protein:fat=65:14:20), or a LCKD group (n=9, 6:17:77). Both groups performed the same training intervention (endurance, strength and high intensity interval training (HIIT)). Prior to and following successful completion of 12-weeks of diet and training, participants had their body composition assessed, and completed a 100km time trial (TT), six second (SS) sprint, and a critical power test (CPT). During post-intervention testing the HC group consumed 30-60g/h carbohydrate, whereas the LCKD group consumed water, and electrolytes.Results The LCKD group experienced a significantly greater decrease in body mass (HC -0.8kg, LCKD -5.9kg; P=0.006, effect size (ES): 0.338) and percentage body fat percentage (HC -0.7%, LCKD -5.2%; P=0.008, ES: 0.346). Fasting serum beta-hydroxybutyrate (βHB) significantly increased from 0.1 at baseline to 0.5mmol/L in the LCKD group (P=0.011, ES: 0.403) in week 12. There was no significant change in performance of the 100km TT between groups (HC -1.13min·s, LCKD -4.07min·s, P=0.057, ES: 0.196). SS sprint peak power increased by 0.8 watts per kilogram bodyweight (w/kg) in the LCKD group, versus a -0.1w/kg reduction in the HC group (P=0.025, ES: 0.263). CPT peak power decreased by -0.7w/kg in the HC group, and increased by 1.4w/kg in the LCKD group (P=0.047, ES: 0.212). Fat oxidation in the LCKD group was significantly greater throughout the 100km TT.Conclusions Compared to a HC comparison group, a 12-week period of keto-adaptation and exercise training, enhanced body composition, fat oxidation during exercise, and specific measures of performance relevant to competitive endurance athletes.

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Authors
McSwiney, F. T., Wardrop, B., Hyde, P. N., Lafountain, R. A., Volek, J. S., & Doyle, L.
Affiliations
  • Waterford Institute of Technology (IE)
  • The Ohio State University (US)
Corresponding author
Doyle, Lorna
ORCID
Venue
Metabolism
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2018-04
Volume
81
Pages
25-34
ISSN
0026-0495 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.metabol.2017.10.010
OpenAlex
W2766646500
Cited by
172
References
45
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 31 · 2020: 27 · 2019: 30 · 2018: 20 · 2017: 1
FWCI
15.78
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
Locations
  • Metabolism (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Diet and metabolism studies
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
Keywords
ketogenic diet, low-carbohydrate diet, endurance athletes, body composition, fat oxidation, beta-hydroxybutyrate, exercise performance, high-intensity interval training, resistance training, time trial performance, sprint power, critical power, carbohydrate intake, energy substrate utilization, weight loss, fat loss, well-trained athletes
MeSH terms
Adaptation, Physiological, Adult, Body Composition, Dietary Carbohydrates, Humans, Male, Physical Endurance, Exercise, Diet, Ketogenic, Athletes

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