An interesting read for those of you who really like science. I think age has to be considered as well. More on that later…
Background
The ketogenic diet is becoming a popular nutritional model among athletes. However, the relationship between its use and metabolism during exercise seems to have not been fully investigated.
Methods
The aim of the study was to assess the effects of a four-week ketogenic diet (KD) on fat and carbohydrate (CHO) utilization during an incremental cycling test (ICT) in CrossFit-trained female (n = 11) and male (n = 11) athletes. During the ICT (while consuming the customary diet and after the KD), oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide exhalation were registered, and CHO and fat utilization as well as energy expenditure were calculated.
Results
In males, the KD led to an increase in fat utilization (g·min− 1·kgFFM− 1 and % oxidation). It was particularly noticeable at exercise intensities up to 80% of VO2max. An increase in the area under the curve (AUC) was seen in males but not in females at up to ≤65% VO2max of fat utilization.
Conclusions
Male CrossFit-trained athletes seem to be more prone to shifts in macronutrient utilization (in favor of fat utilization) during submaximal intensity exercise under a ketogenic diet than are female athletes.
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