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The Relationship Between the Mediterranean Dietary Pattern and Exercise and Sport Performance-A Scoping Review
Evangeline Mantzioris1, Anthony Villani2, Adrienne Forsyth3
1Clinical & Health Sciences, Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.
Nutrients
|January 8, 2025
Summary
This scoping review found limited evidence on the Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) and athlete performance. More intervention studies are needed to understand the MedDiet
Area of Science:
- Sports Nutrition
- Dietary Patterns
- Health and Performance in Athletes
Background:
- Athletes prioritize healthy diets for optimal health and performance.
- The Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) is recognized for its extensive health benefits.
- Understanding the MedDiet's impact on athletes is crucial for sports science.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a scoping review of scientific literature on MedDiet adherence and its effects on athlete health and performance.
- To identify existing research gaps concerning the MedDiet in athletic populations.
- To synthesize current evidence on the relationship between MedDiet and athletic outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive search of five bibliographic databases was performed from inception to December 2023.
- Studies involving athletes of any level and sport, examining MedDiet intervention or adherence, were included.
- A total of 7993 unique records were screened, resulting in the inclusion of 32 studies.
Main Results:
- The majority of included studies (31/32) were conducted in Mediterranean countries.
- Anthropometrics and body composition were the most frequently measured outcomes.
- A significant limitation was the scarcity of studies reporting on sport-specific performance outcomes and detailed macronutrient intake.
Conclusions:
- This is the first scoping review to examine MedDiet adherence in relation to athletic outcomes.
- The current evidence base is limited, with a lack of research outside Mediterranean regions.
- Further high-quality intervention studies are essential to establish causal links between the MedDiet and athletic performance and health.
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