Journal article
The Relationship Between the Mediterranean Dietary Pattern and Exercise and Sport Performance—A Scoping Review
Nutrients, Vol.16(24), pp.1-23
2024
PMCID: PMC11678181
PMID: 39770881
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Athletes seek healthy diets for their health and performance. The Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) has been widely studied for its health benefits. We conducted a scoping review of the scientific literature for studies reporting on the relationship between MedDiet adherence and performance and health outcomes in athletes. Methods: Five bibliographic databases were searched from inception to December 2023. We included studies with any competing, recreational, professional, elite, or occupational athlete (of any age) who played a physical sport as part of a team or as an individual, in which the MedDiet was used as an intervention, or adherence was measured. A total of 7993 unique records were identified, screened, and assessed for eligibility. Results: A total of 32 studies were included: 23 observational studies, 6 randomised controlled trials, and 3 quasi-experimental studies. Almost all studies (n = 31) were conducted in Mediterranean countries. Anthropometrics (n = 19) and body composition (n = 12) were the two most measured outcomes. There was a wide range of athlete ages and calibres and great variability in the outcomes reported; however, there were limited reports for each outcome. Only one RCT reported on specific sport-related performance outcomes. Three RCTs provided individualised dietary recommendations for macronutrients based on sports nutrition guidelines, but only two of them assessed macronutrient intake. Conclusions: This is the first scoping review of MedDiet adherence on outcomes related to sport. We found a limited evidence base across different sports and athletes, with few studies conducted outside of Mediterranean countries. Importantly, more intervention studies are needed to provide high-level causal evidence on the impact of the MedDiet pattern on performance and health outcomes in athletes.
Details
- Title
- The Relationship Between the Mediterranean Dietary Pattern and Exercise and Sport Performance—A Scoping Review
- Authors
- Evangeline Mantzioris (Corresponding Author) - University of South AustraliaAnthony Villani - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Nutrition & DieteticsAdrienne Forsyth - Australian Catholic University
- Publication details
- Nutrients, Vol.16(24), pp.1-23
- Publisher
- MDPI AG
- Date published
- 2024
- DOI
- 10.3390/nu16244259
- ISSN
- 2072-6643
- PMID
- 39770881; PMC11678181
- Copyright note
- © 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
- Data Availability
- No new data were created or analyzed in this study. Data sharing is not applicable to this article.
- Organisation Unit
- Healthy Ageing Research Cluster; School of Health - Nutrition & Dietetics
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991091194702621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Nutrition & Dietetics