Research summary · Nutrition and energy
Low-carbohydrate diets and repeated high-intensity performance
This review compares low-carbohydrate or ketogenic diets with higher-carbohydrate conditions for anaerobic performance in competitive athletes.
- Publication year
- 2026
- First published online
- Publication type
- Systematic review and meta-analysis
- Journal
- Nutrients
- Population / context
- Competitive sport · Anaerobic events
What the publication reports
Thirteen unique studies, with samples ranging from 5 to 65 athletes, showed no clear pooled change in single-effort power. Repeated high-intensity outcomes more often favoured higher carbohydrate availability, although pooled confidence intervals remained uncertain; lactate was generally lower.
Limits and interpretation
Interventions ranged from two days to twelve weeks and used varied tests and diets. Small samples and imprecise pooled estimates prevent a universal conclusion for every sport or athlete.
Read the source
Consult the original record for the full author list, methods, references, funding and competing-interest disclosures.
Effects of Low-Carbohydrate and Ketogenic Diets on Anaerobic Performance in Competitive Athletes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Original publication / indexed recordPMID: 42197050DOI: 10.3390/nu18101589Full text at the sourceReader discussion
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