Perception of Endurance Athletes on the Effects of High-Carb and Vegan Diet on their Performance: A Case Study

• Main Authors: Uy, Miguel Antonio L., Santos, Kheigh Gerald C., Santiaguel, Brent Angelo R., Canino, Angel Anne T., Cayabyab, Annyka Chanel P.
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2022
• Subjects: perception; high-carb diet; vegan diet; nutrition; performance; Medicine and Health Sciences
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/conf_shsrescon/2022/poster_fnh/1
• Institution: De La Salle University

Endurance athletes require strict training and nutrition to prepare their bodies for tournaments or competitions. Much literature has stated the benefits of diets focusing primarily on carbohydrates. Although there are studies that back up the effects of the diets in a physical aspect, the researchers have yet to see an abundance of studies about the perception of the athletes. Therefore, this study intends to focus on the perception of endurance athletes on the effects of a high-carb and vegan diet on their performance. Using a case study approach, the researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with endurance athletes. The objectives of the research are to determine and encapture the experiences, effect indicators, and expectations of the athletes. The expectations of endurance athletes that affect their choice of a high-carb and vegan diet are more dependent on the athlete's preferences and capabilities. The experiences of the endurance athletes are dissimilar, seeing as the majority of those who participated in a vegan diet described their experiences to be aggravating and exhausting, while those who participated in a high-carb diet did not describe their experience to be as stressful. The effects of a high-carb and vegan diet on the performance of endurance athletes are more dependent on the endurance athlete's focus and goal. Therefore, endurance athletes’ choice of a high-carb and vegan diet depends on their prior knowledge, objectives, and experiences.