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Plant-based diets and sports performance: a clinical review

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Abstract

Purpose

Plant-based diets have become increasingly popular in Western culture. Although studies have examined physiologic health improvements of plant-based diets, there is little data on plant-based diets as it relates to sports performance.

Methods

Clinical review of systematic reviews, randomized trials, prospective and retrospective cohort studies available in English on PubMed and Google Scholar databases utilizing combinations of the search terms “athlete, sport, nutrition, diet, vegan, vegetarian, strength, endurance, health, performance, and exercise.”

Results

There are no significant differences in athletic performance in participants maintaining plant-based diets compared to those consuming omnivorous diets specifically related to strength, power, and endurance. Plant-based diets are at higher risk of predisposing individuals to certain micronutrient deficiencies, reduced protein intake, and lower serum creatine and sex testosterone levels, though supplementation may effectively replace the lacking components. Non-plant-based diets are associated with a higher risk of obesity, type II diabetes mellitus, certain malignancies, and cardiovascular disease, though several studies demonstrate that a particular meat- and fish-filled diet may reduce body weight, blood pressure, fat composition, and all-cause mortality.

Conclusion

Though plant-based and mixed omnivorous eaters may vary in their macronutrient and micronutrient intake, disease propensities, and oxygen consumption during exertion, a plant-based diet does not translate into a significantly different physical performance compared to a non-plant-based diet across measures of strength, power, and aerobic/anaerobic performance. For athletes, trainers, nutritionists and dieticians, and physicians, the most important recommendation is to maintain a nutritionally sufficient diet that provides the appropriate levels of vital nutrients and vitamins.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sports Medicine Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, 175 Cambridge Street, 4th Floor, Boston, MA, 02114, USA

    Stephen P. Maier II, Harry M. Lightsey IV & Luke S. Oh

  2. Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA

    Michael D. Galetta

  3. Division of Sports Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Marina del Rey Hospital, Marina del Rey, CA, 90292, USA

    Andrew O. Usoro

  4. Division of Sports Medicine, AdventHealth Orthopedic Institute of Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, Orlando, FL, 32805, USA

    Luke S. Oh

Authors
  1. Stephen P. Maier II
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  2. Harry M. Lightsey IV
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  3. Michael D. Galetta
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  4. Andrew O. Usoro
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  5. Luke S. Oh
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Contributions

S.M. performed the literature review. S.M., H.L., M.G., A.U., and L.O. wrote the main manuscript. S.M. designed the figure and table. All authors reviewed the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Stephen P. Maier II.

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The authors did not receive support from any organization for the submitted work. All authors certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest or non-financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

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This study was conducted within the agreed upon standards of expected ethical behavior. As there was no involvement of human subjects, consent was not needed to proceed with the investigation.

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Maier, S.P., Lightsey, H.M., Galetta, M.D. et al. Plant-based diets and sports performance: a clinical review. Sport Sci Health 19, 1059–1081 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-023-01074-8

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