Impacts of a vegetarian diet on athlete performance: a systematic review of the effects on strength and endurance
Resumen
Vegetarianism, characterized by the exclusion of animal-derived products, is increasingly present in individuals' dietary habits. Consequently, there is growing scientific interest in understanding the impacts of vegetarian diets on athletic performance, particularly in strength and endurance. However, the results of these studies are still inconclusive. Some indicate benefits, while others observe no significant differences or suggest risks to athletic performance with this diet. Objective: To conduct a systematic review of the literature regarding the effects of vegetarian diets on strength and endurance performance in athletes. Materials and Methods: Methodological procedures for systematic reviews were applied. The eligibility of studies considered the investigated population, intervention, comparisons, and outcomes. The search strategies were conducted in two phases to identify studies published in the last 15 years, considering three databases: PubMed, SciELO, and Web of Science. The search was performed using descriptors from DeCS. The titles and abstracts of the articles were analyzed by two researchers, with a third consulted in case of disagreement. Additionally, references cited in these articles were examined to identify other relevant studies. Conclusion: This study showed that a vegetarian diet, when properly planned, is capable of satisfying the nutritional needs of athletes, ensuring good performance in both strength and endurance.
Citas
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