Effects of Mediterranean Diet Combined with CrossFit Training on Trained Adults’ Performance and Body Composition

Abstract

CrossFit is a high-intensity training discipline increasingly practiced in recent years. Specific nutritional approaches are usually recommended to maximize performance and improve body composition in high-intensity training regimens; notwithstanding, to date there are no targeted nutritional recommendations for CrossFit athletes. The Mediterranean Diet (MD) is a diet approach with a well-designed proportion of macronutrients, using only available/seasonal food of the Mediterranean area, whose health benefits are well demonstrated. No studies have evaluated this dietary strategy among CrossFit athletes and practitioners; for this reason, we tested the effects of 8 weeks of MD on CrossFit athletes’ performance and body composition. Participants were assigned to two groups: a diet group (DG) in which participants performed CrossFit training plus MD, and a control group (CG) in which participants partook in the CrossFit training, continuing their habitual diet. Participants were tested before and after the 8 weeks of intervention. At the end of the study, no significant difference was noted in participants’ body composition, whereas improvements in anaerobic power, explosive strength of the lower limbs, and CrossFit-specific performance were observed only in the DG. Our results suggest that adopting a MD in CrossFit athletes/practitioners could be a useful strategy to improve specific strength, endurance, and anaerobic capacity while maintaining overall body composition.

Advances in Understanding the Interplay between Dietary Practices, Body Composition, and Sports Performance in Athletes

“…It involves a moderate intake of dairy products, primarily cheese, fish, and poultry, while limiting the consumption of red and processed meats. Studies reported that MD provides athletes with a sufficient supply of carbs, which are suitable for enhancing recovery and optimizing the performance of CrossFit athletes, in addition to bioactive ingredients [ 160 ].…”

Popular Dietary Trends’ Impact on Athletic Performance: A Critical Analysis Review

“…For performance, the MedDiet has been touted to help athletes from a performance and body composition standpoint, as it provides nutritional support for their training and athletic demands with a low inflammatory index. During an 8-week MedDiet intervention, CrossFit athletes had significant increases in squat jump performance, power, muscular endurance, and anaerobic power [ 22 ]. Additionally, athletes saw increases in CrossFit-specific maneuvers and performance [ 22 ].…”

“…During an 8-week MedDiet intervention, CrossFit athletes had significant increases in squat jump performance, power, muscular endurance, and anaerobic power [ 22 ]. Additionally, athletes saw increases in CrossFit-specific maneuvers and performance [ 22 ]. The athletes in the dietary group showed increased performance during the chin-up test to exhaustion, i.e., from 11 repetitions to 13 repetitions [ 22 ].…”

“…Additionally, athletes saw increases in CrossFit-specific maneuvers and performance [ 22 ]. The athletes in the dietary group showed increased performance during the chin-up test to exhaustion, i.e., from 11 repetitions to 13 repetitions [ 22 ]. Similarly, after 3 months of adhering to a MedDiet, University of Sports Center Bergamo kickboxers had statistically significant increases in squat strength and the countermovement jump test (CMJ), a barometer for lower body power (the CMJ test is a validated test that correlates to 1 RM maximal strength and sprinting ability [ 23 ]).…”

Somatotype and bioelectrical impedance vector analysis of Italian CrossFit® practitioners

“…Furthermore, whole-body bone mineral density, lean soft mass, and %FM differ among CrossFit® athletes according to the amount of training [ 6 ]. On the other hand, an 8-weeks Mediterranean Diet plan did not affect BC in well trained CrossFit® athletes/practitioners [ 7 ], although it may positively affect CrossFit® performance.…”