Author(s)

Xinyu Wang, Ying Zhang

Corresponding Author

Xinyu Wang

Abstract

Glycogen storage and breakdown in the muscles are well recognized as critical metabolic processes for maintaining adequate intramuscular energy levels during extended, high-intensity activity. However, increasing evidence suggests that other substrates, such as ketone bodies, could be just as effective in producing energy during exercise. Ketosis, in which ketones are used as the primary oxidative fuel, can be achieved through a low-carbohydrate, high-fat ketogenic diet. The ketogenic diet is undoubtedly effective at facilitating weight loss with minimal loss of lean mass, and current research suggests that the ketogenic diet plays a complex role in both anaerobic and aerobic exercise performance. This review mainly focuses on the general introduction about ketogenic diet, its physiological basis, and ketogenic diet on both performances of anaerobic and endurance athletes. The underlying factors that contribute to the controversial debates will also be discussed.

Keywords

Ketogenic diet, Low carbohydrate diet, Athletic performance, Endurance sports, Strength sports, anaerobic sports, Weight loss