Effect of a Four-Week Vegan Diet on Performance, Training Efficiency and Blood Biochemical Indices in CrossFit-Trained Participants.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine the effects of a four-week vegan diet on performance, training results, and blood biochemical indices in moderate-trained CrossFit participants compared to a traditional mixed diet.
Results Summary
The vegan diet showed a significant improvement in strength endurance for the classic deadlift but was not more beneficial than the mixed diet for overall performance. Some exercises in the modified FGBMod test improved in both diet groups, but differences between diets were not clinically relevant.
Population
Moderate-trained CrossFit participants (12 females, 8 males).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
4 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
traditional mixed diet (MixD) | increase | number of repetitions performed at a load corresponding to 70% of 1RM in the classic squat | female and male moderate-trained CrossFit participants | - | significant improvement | #1 |
vegan diet (VegD) | increase | number of repetitions performed at a load corresponding to 70% of 1RM in the classic deadlift | female and male moderate-trained CrossFit participants | - | significant improvement | #2 |
traditional mixed diet (MixD) | increase | results of the FGBMod performance test | female and male moderate-trained CrossFit participants | - | significant improvement | #3 |
vegan diet (VegD) | increase | Wall Ball in the modified FGBMod test | female and male moderate-trained CrossFit participants | - | improvement | #4 |
traditional mixed diet (MixD) | increase | Wall Ball in the modified FGBMod test | female and male moderate-trained CrossFit participants | - | improvement | #5 |
traditional mixed diet (MixD) | increase | rowing in the modified FGBMod test | female and male moderate-trained CrossFit participants | - | improvement | #6 |
vegan diet (VegD) | increase | strength endurance in the classic deadlift | female and male moderate-trained CrossFit participants | - | positively affects | #7 |
vegan diet (VegD) | no change | performance | female and male moderate-trained CrossFit participants | - | unlikely to be more beneficial in improving performance than a MixD | #8 |
This interventional study examined the effect of a four-week vegan diet (VegD) during a four-week high-intensity functional training (HIFT) on performance, training results and blood biochemical indices in female (n = 12) and male (n = 8) moderate-trained CrossFit participants. The whole study group performed the maximum number of repetitions with a load of 70% one repetition-maximum (1RM) and a modified Fight Gone Bad (FGBMod) test before and after a dietary intervention (the group was divided to follow a VegD or a traditional mixed diet (MixD)) in a randomised and parallel design. Pre-exercise resting blood samples were also analysed. There was a significant improvement in the number of repetitions performed at a load corresponding to 70% of 1RM in the classic squat in the MixD group (p < 0.001), and in the classic deadlift in the VegD group (p = 0.014). Furthermore, there was a significant improvement in the results of the FGBMod performance test after a MixD. Moreover, an improvement in some exercises in the modified FGBMod test (Wall Ball after the VegD and the MixD, and rowing after the MixD) was also observed. However, differences between the MixD and the VegD groups were not clinically relevant. In conclusion, the short-term study conducted here indicated that a VegD in HIFT training positively affects strength endurance in the classic deadlift but is unlikely to be more beneficial in improving performance than a MixD.