Calorie restriction regime enhances physical performance of trained athletes

Abstract

BackgroundCaloric restriction induces mitochondrial biogenesis and improves physical fitness in rodents. We aimed to provide evidence of how caloric restriction affects the body composition and physical performance of trained athletes and to evaluate the possible impact of an every-other-day feeding diet on nutritional deficiencies of micronutrients and essential fatty acids.MethodsThe study was performed with 12 healthy male athletes by carrying out a 33% caloric restriction with respect to their usual diet. Athletes performed a maximal exercise stress test both before and after the caloric restriction period. Blood samples were taken before and after the caloric restriction at basal conditions and 30 min post-exercise. Although energy intake was reduced by about 33%, the contribution of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids to total energy intake during the caloric restriction was similar to the original diet.ResultsThe caloric restriction reduced the daily specific micronutrient intake to values lower than 90% of recommended dietary allowances. No effects were observed in blood parameters related to iron metabolism and tissue damage, glucose levels, lipid profiles, or erythrocyte fatty acid composition. In addition, oxidative damage markers decreased after the nutritional intervention. The caloric restriction intervention significantly reduced body weight and trunk, arm, and leg weights; it also caused a decrease in fat and lean body mass, the energy expenditure rate when performing a maximal exercise stress test, and the energy cost to run one meter at various exercise intensities. Furthermore, the intervention ameliorated the onset of the anaerobic phase of exercise.ConclusionA caloric restriction improves athletes’ performance and energy efficiency, but reduces the daily intake of micronutrients; so, when caloric restriction programs are implemented micronutrient supplementation should be considered.Trial registrationThe project was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02533479).

Lean and mean? Associations of level of performance, chronic injuries and BMI in sport climbing

“…BMI may have a positive impact on short-term goals and reducing weight prior to a competition or a climbing trip may give short-term benefits 15–17. This effect may however be undermined by fatigue or injuries due to malnutrition as keeping a low BMI over time impacts general overall health and increases risk of overuse injuries 9 18.…”

Factors Affecting Training and Physical Performance in Recreational Endurance Runners

“…The available evidence is insufficient to determine whether total energy intake per day or macronutrient and micronutrient proportions in the diet are associated with the prevalence of injury in endurance runners [170]. Further investigations are needed to determine whether caloric restriction is related to a higher incidence of injury, as diets with reduced calorie intake are gaining popularity [171] and no evidence exists on this topic. Finally, several dietary supplements are consumed by athletes to alleviate pain and to reduce the risk of injury based on the claims of supplement manufacturers.…”

Oxidative stress, inflammation, psychological status, and severity of respiratory infections are negatively affected during the pre-contest period in amateur bodybuilders

“…Together, these data indicate that weight loss was primarily achieved via energy restriction. (Finaud et al, 2006;Merrells et al, 2008;Reljic et al, 2015) or a reduction (Pons et al, 2018), whereas others reported an increase (Rankin et al, 2006;Yanagawa et al, 2015). This discrepancy may be related to factors such as the duration of the energy restriction, the biomarkers utilized for the measure of oxidative stress, and the training load employed during the energy restriction.…”