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Impact of the Mediterranean Diet on Athletic Performance, Muscle Strength, Body Composition, and Antioxidant Markers in Both Athletes and Non-Professional Athletes: A Systematic Review of Intervention Trials.

Nutrients
October 11, 2024
Ellis Bianchi et al. (4 authors)
Journal ArticleSystematic ReviewReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate the effects of the Mediterranean Diet on athletic performance, strength, body composition, and metabolic markers in both athletes and non-professional athletes.

Results Summary

The Mediterranean Diet improved muscle endurance, power, and anaerobic performance in CrossFit athletes, and enhanced strength performance (e.g., vertical jump height, hand grip strength). Effects on body composition were mixed, but the diet showed positive impacts on antioxidant activity and reduced oxidative stress and inflammation.

Population

Professional handball players and non-professional strength athletes (total 116 participants).

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (12)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
Mediterranean Diet
increase
muscle endurance and power
athletes and non-professional athletes
-
may improve
#1
Mediterranean Diet
increase
anaerobic performance
CrossFit athletes
-
may improve
#2
Mediterranean Diet
increase
strength performance
-
-
was associated with enhanced
#3
Mediterranean Diet
increase
vertical jump height
-
-
increased
#4
Mediterranean Diet
increase
hand grip strength
-
-
increased
#5
Mediterranean Diet
increase
shuttle run performance
-
-
increased
#6
Mediterranean Diet
increase
fat-free mass
-
-
showing improvements
#7
Mediterranean Diet
increase
skeletal muscle mass
-
-
showing improvements
#8
Mediterranean Diet
no change
body composition
-
-
found no significant changes
#9
Mediterranean Diet
increase
plasma total antioxidant activity
-
-
increased
#10
Mediterranean Diet
decrease
markers of oxidative stress
-
-
decreased
#11
Mediterranean Diet
decrease
markers of inflammation
-
-
decreased
#12
Abstract

Background: The Mediterranean Diet (MD) has gained attention for its potential benefits in enhancing athletic performance and overall health. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effects of the MD on athletic performance, strength, body composition, and metabolic markers in both athletes and non-professional athletes. Methods: The review included seven studies with a total of 116 participants, ranging from professional handball players to non-professional strength athletes. The studies assessed various aspects of athletic performance, including strength, power, endurance, and body composition. Results: The main key findings from the review showed that MD may improve muscle endurance and power, as well as anaerobic performance in CrossFit athletes, and MD was associated with enhanced strength performance, including increased vertical jump height, hand grip strength, and shuttle run performance. The results on the impact on body composition were mixed, with some studies showing improvements in fat-free mass and skeletal muscle mass, while others found no significant changes. The MD also demonstrated positive effects on several markers, such as increased plasma total antioxidant activity and decreased markers of oxidative stress and inflammation. Conclusions: In conclusion, while the MD seems to represent a viable dietary strategy for enhancing athletic performance and overall health, more rigorous studies are necessary to clarify its impact across diverse athletic populations.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
HumansAntioxidantsAthletesAthletic PerformanceBiomarkersBody CompositionDiet, MediterraneanMuscle StrengthMuscle, Skeletal
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality65/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations3
Citations/Year3.0
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.50
Weight Score1.22
Normalized Score0.63
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