Human trials
More fat oxidation, a higher oxygen cost
Low carbohydrate, high fat diet impairs exercise economy and negates the performance benefit from intensified training in elite race walkers
Published
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Fasting Free source summary: https://fastingfree.com/education/burke-2017-ketogenic-racewalking/
PLAIN-LANGUAGE SUMMARY
What it found
Fat oxidation rose, but oxygen cost increased at race-relevant speeds. Race performance improved 6.6% and 5.3% in the carbohydrate-supported groups; the ketogenic estimate was −1.6% (90% CI −8.5% to 5.3%), with no clear improvement.
Keep these limits in view
Preference allocation, repeated participation, small groups, and varying race conditions limit causal certainty. Elite male race walking over three weeks does not establish outcomes for recreational training, women, or long-term adaptation.
Understand the context
- Evidence type
- Controlled feeding and training intervention; preference-based allocation
- Population or scope
- International-level male race walkers at supervised training camps
- Sample or coverage
- 21 individual athletes; 29 diet-camp datasets and 26 paired race datasets
- Study duration or data period
- Three weeks of intensified training, with testing before and after
- Comparison
- Ketogenic food versus consistently high carbohydrate availability or carbohydrate intake varied around training; energy and protein were similar.
- Measured outcomes
- Exercise oxygen cost, peak aerobic capacity, fuel oxidation, and performance in an official 10 km race walk.
Research terms in this source
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