Hetzler, R. K., Yuen, K. Q., Graybill-Yuen, R. M., Titchenall, C. A., & Ho, K. W. (1998). Effects of a fat-rich diet on maximal oxygen uptake and time-to-exhaustion in male triathletes. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 30(5), Supplement abstract 1142.

Male athletes have been reported to improve VO2max and time to exhaustion after consuming a fat-rich diet. Highly trained male triathletes (N = 5) consumed normal, fat-rich, and carbohydrate rich diets, each for seven days before performing a cycle ergometer test.

There were no differences in ratings of perceived exertion between trials. The fat-rich diet did not improve VO2max, time to exhaustion, or substrate utilization over the carbohydrate-rich diet effects.

Implication. Fat-rich and carbohydrate-rich diets affect endurance performance similarly in males.

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