# 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

PMID: 39687599
Journal: Nutrition and metabolic insights
Published: 2024
Authors: 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.

## Population

- Healthy male endurance athletes
- Sample size: 14
- Age: PD-G 21 +/- 1 years; MD-G 26 +/- 5 years among completers
- Sex: Male
- Fitness level: Endurance athletes with at least two training sessions per week
- Health status: Healthy, without ACSM contraindications to physical activity

## Methodology

- Monocentric prospective open pilot trial with two diet groups receiving the same SIT program
- 6 weeks
- University of Freiburg supervised 400-m track training
- Controlled study design.

## Protocol

- SIT plus palaeolithic diet.
- Modality: Running sprints.
- Work intervals: 30 seconds all-out.
- Recovery: 4 minutes at warm-up intensity.
- Sets or repetitions: 4-6 sprints.
- Intensity: All-out; recovery at 70-80% maximal heart rate below VT.
- Session duration: Not fully reported; sprint/recovery phase 18-27 minutes plus warm-up and cool-down.
- Frequency: 3 sessions per week.
- Program length: 6 weeks.
- Progression: 4 sprints weeks 1-2; 5 sprints weeks 3-4; 6 sprints weeks 5-6.
- SIT plus mixed diet.
- Modality: Same running SIT protocol.
- Work intervals: 30 seconds all-out.
- Recovery: 4 minutes.
- Sets or repetitions: 4-6 sprints.
- Intensity: All-out.
- Session duration: Same as intervention.
- Frequency: 3 sessions per week.
- Program length: 6 weeks.
- Progression: Same as intervention.

## Outcomes

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

### Fat mass
Status: improved
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.

### Blood pressure
Status: improved
Systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased in the palaeolithic diet group.

### Adherence
Status: mixed
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.

## Practical 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 And Adherence

- No adverse events were reported.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39687599/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.1177/11786388241299896) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11648029/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

Preserve the paper-level scope of this note. Do not generalize beyond the population, protocol, measured outcomes, and limitations above.