PMID 39687599

Research
All papers

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

Zdzieblik D, Waldvogel T, Zierke A, Gollhofer A, König D

Question

Does adding a modern palaeolithic diet to a standardized 6-week running sprint interval training program improve metabolic and performance outcomes more than maintaining a mixed diet in male endurance athletes?

Summary

In a small 6-week pilot trial, male endurance athletes in both diet groups performed the same supervised running sprint interval program. Performance improved similarly in both groups, while the palaeolithic diet group showed larger reductions in weight, fat mass, and blood pressure but also a high dropout rate and practicality concerns.

Methodology

  • Healthy male endurance athletes
  • 14 participants.
  • Running sprints.
  • Work intervals: 30 seconds all-out.
  • Recovery: 4 minutes at warm-up intensity.
  • Intensity: All-out; recovery at 70-80% maximal heart rate below VT.
  • Not fully reported; sprint/recovery phase 18-27 minutes plus warm-up and cool-down.
  • 3 sessions per week.
  • 6 weeks.
  • Monocentric prospective open pilot trial with two diet groups receiving the same SIT program
  • Time trial, TTE, Body composition, and Blood pressure were tracked.

Outcomes

Performance

Both groups improved TTE and 60-minute time-trial distance without significant group differences.

Improved

Fat mass

Palaeolithic diet group significantly reduced fat mass.

PD-G fat mass 10.8 +/- 3.7 kg to 8.1 +/- 3.2 kg; group p=.095; within-group marked significant.

Improved

Blood pressure

Systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased in the palaeolithic diet group.

Improved

Adherence

SIT attendance was high among completers, but the palaeolithic diet group had high dropout and practicality issues.

14/20 completed; completers averaged 17 +/- 1 sessions.

Mixed

Insights

  • True sprint intervals used long recoveries and very low total sprint time.
  • Diet co-interventions can create adherence barriers even when training attendance is high.
  • Performance gains should not be attributed to diet when both groups performed the same SIT.

Limitations

  • Pilot sample
  • High dropout
  • Male athletes only
  • No no-training control
  • Self-reported dietary intake

Safety

  • No adverse events were reported.