Journal article

Publication year: 2023

Journal: Nutrients

Volume number: 15

Issue number: 7

eISSN: 2072-6643

Open access status: Gold

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15071796

Publisher: MDPI

Abstract: 
Runners train for long-distance competitions based on underlying motivations, which may be similar to individual dietary motivations (e.g., well-being and performance). Fundamental training differences may arise in recreational runners following different diet types (omnivore, vegetarian, vegan) considering possible motive variations. Following a cross-sectional design, distance runners completed a survey (online), including a thorough assessment of training behaviors with generic training details and periodization specifics in three phases: 1. an intermediary and rebound stage, 2. a main preparatory stage, and 3. a main event stage (tapering or interim event level/s). Kruskal-Wallis and chi-squared tests were used in the statistical analysis. A total of 245 fit recreational runners following omnivore (n = 109), vegetarian (n = 45), and vegan diets (n = 91) were included. Significant differences in the initial running motivation were found across dietary subgroups (p = 0.033) as well as for current motivations (p = 0.038), with vegetarians being the least health motivated (27% and 9%, respectively). No differences in each of the specific periods were found between diet types across the outline (p > 0.05). The present evidence shows that there is a lack of fundamental training differences based on recreational runners following different generic types of diets. The results of the present investigation may be especially relevant for future studies on safety, sustainability, and performance-enhancing dietary practices among athletes.

Harvard Citation style: Wirnitzer, K., Tanous, D., Motevalli, M., Raschner, C., Wagner, K., Wirnitzer, G., et al. (2023) Training Behaviors and Periodization Outline of Omnivorous, Vegetarian, and Vegan Recreational Runners (Part A)-Results from the NURMI Study (Step 2), Nutrients, 15(7), Article 1796. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15071796

APA Citation style: Wirnitzer, K., Tanous, D., Motevalli, M., Raschner, C., Wagner, K., Wirnitzer, G., Leitzmann, C., Rosemann, T., & Knechtle, B. (2023). Training Behaviors and Periodization Outline of Omnivorous, Vegetarian, and Vegan Recreational Runners (Part A)-Results from the NURMI Study (Step 2). Nutrients. 15(7), Article 1796. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15071796