Adherence to a Ketogenic Low-Carbohydrate, High-Fat Diet Is Associated With Diminished Training Quality in Elite Racewalkers

Jun 1, 2023International journal of sports physiology and performance

Following a ketogenic low-carb, high-fat diet is linked to lower training quality in top racewalkers

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Abstract

Athletes on a ketogenic low-carbohydrate high-fat diet (LCHF) covered less total distance during training compared to those on high-carbohydrate (HCHO) and periodized-carbohydrate (PCHO) diets.

LCHF resulted in slower walking speeds during interval sessions, with a 2.8% slower speed compared to HCHO and 5.6% slower than PCHO.
During tempo sessions, LCHF was 3.2% slower than both HCHO and PCHO.
Heart rates were higher in the LCHF group, despite slower speeds during training sessions.
Lactate concentrations were lower in LCHF participants compared to those on HCHO and PCHO.
No significant differences in perceived exhaustion were found between the different diet groups.

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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.

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Adherence to a Ketogenic Low-Carbohydrate, High-Fat Diet Is Associated With Diminished Training Quality in Elite Racewalkers

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