Abstract
BackgroundIn search of the right nutrition for the athlete, numerous nutritional strategies and diets were discussed over time. However, the influence of plant-based diets, especially veganism, on exercise capacity has not been clarified.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study to compare the exercise capacity of vegan (VEG, n = 24), lacto-ovo-vegetarian (LOV, n = 26) and omnivorous (OMN, n = 26) recreational runners. To determine maximal exercise capacity, participants performed an incremental exercise test on a bicycle ergometer until voluntary exhaustion. During the test capillary blood samples were taken at several time points for the measurement of arterial lactate [lac] and glucose [glc] concentrations. To determine nutrient intake, a 24 h dietary recall was conducted.ResultsThe groups showed comparable training habits in terms of training frequency (mean 3.08 ± 0.90 time/wk., p = 0.735), time (mean 2.93 ± 1.34 h/wk., p = 0.079) and running distance (mean 29.5 ± 14.3 km/wk., p = 0.054). Moreover, similar maximum power output (PmaxBW) was observed in all three groups (OMN: 4.15 ± 0.48 W/kg, LOV: 4.20 ± 0.47 W/kg, VEG: 4.16 ± 0.55 W/kg; p = 0.917) and no differences regarding [lac] throughout the exercise test and maximum lactate could be observed between the groups (OMN: 11.3 ± 2.19 mmol/l, LOV: 11.0 ± 2.59 mmol/l, VEG: 11.9 ± 1.98 mmol/l; p = 0.648).ConclusionThe data indicate that each examined diet has neither advantages nor disadvantages with regard to exercise capacity. These results suggest that a vegan diet can be a suitable alternative for ambitious recreational runners.Trial registrationGerman Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00012377). Registered on 28 April 2017
Highlights
In search of the right nutrition for the athlete, numerous nutritional strategies and diets were discussed over time
The primary outcome maximum exercise capacity was measured as maximum power related to body weight (PmaxBW) reached in the graded exercise test (GXT)
Secondary outcomes included maximum power output related to lean body mass (PmaxLBM), maximal and submaximal lactate [lac] and glucose [glc] concentrations during the GXT
Summary
In search of the right nutrition for the athlete, numerous nutritional strategies and diets were discussed over time. The influence of plant-based diets, especially veganism, on exercise capacity has not been clarified. Most endurance athletes are interested in diets that positively affect exercise capacity and health, reduce body fat and promote the development of lean muscle mass [1]. Already thousands of years ago, the diet of athletes was seen as an important mean to increase performance [2]. Due to the favorable impact on health [7,8,9,10,11,12] it could be assumed that performance parameters are influenced by plant-based diets based on a broad variety of foods. Since vegetarian diets are characterized by higher intake of carbohydrates one could hypothesize that there are favorable effects on exercise capacity [13,14,15,16].
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