Effect of a Modern Palaeolithic Diet in Combination with a Sprint Interval Training on Metabolic and Performance-Related Parameters in Male Athletes: A Pilot Trial.

Background: Although a palaeolithic diet promotes healthier food choices that aid in weight management and reduce cardiovascular risks, its effectiveness in endurance sports is still debated due to its typically low carbohydrate content.

Objective: This study examined the impact of a 6-week palaeolithic diet (PD-G) versus a mixed diet (MD-G), both paired with Sprint interval training (SIT), on various metabolic and performance-related parameters.

Methods: Body composition, time trial (TT) performance (covered distance during a 60-minute run on a 400-metre track) and changes in metabolic (respiratory exchange ratio [RER], substrate oxidation rates) and performance-related (time at ventilatory threshold [VT] and respiratory compensation point [RCP], maximum oxygen uptake (V̇O) and time to exhaustion [TTE]) parameters during a ramp incremental running test were assessed in 14 male endurance athletes.