Plain language summary
The ketogenic diet (KD), characterised by a significant reduction in carbohydrate intake and an increase in fat consumption, has gained popularity for its potential benefits in weight loss and metabolic health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the ketogenic diet on strength performance in trained men and women. This study was a systematic review and meta-analysis of six studies which included 67 participants on the KD and 64 participants in the control group. Results did not show significant differences in the KD group compared to the control group in the one-repetition maximum test (1-RM) in squat (SQ) and in bench press (BP); however, the effect size was slightly higher in the control group in both variables. Authors concluded that while the ketogenic diet does not impair strength performance, it also does not significantly enhance it. The 1-RM test may not be the most optimal measure for assessing strength performance in resistance-trained individuals on a ketogenic diet.
Abstract
Ketogenic diets (KDs) are an alternative to improve strength performance and body composition in resistance training participants. The objective of this review and meta-analysis is to verify whether a ketogenic diet produces an increase in the strength of resistance-trained participants. We have evaluated the effect of the ketogenic diet in conjunction with resistance training on the strength levels in trained participants. Boolean algorithms from various databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) were used. Meta-analyses were carried out, one on the 1-RM squat (SQ), with 106 trained participants or athletes, and another on the 1-RM on the bench press (BP), evaluating 119 participants. We did not find significant differences between the groups in the variables of SQ or BP, although the size of the effect was slightly higher in the ketogenic group. Conclusions: KDs do not appear to impair 1-RM performance; however, this test does not appear to be the most optimal tool for assessing hypertrophy-based strength session performance in resistance-trained participants.
Methodological quality
Jadad score
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Not applicable
Allocation concealment
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