Effects of a Time Restricted Eating Protocol on Cyclists (TRECYC)

Effects of 4 Weeks of Time Restricted Eating Protocol on Performance, Metabolism and Blood Outcomes in Elite Cyclists

We sought to investigate the effects of 4 weeks of 16/8 time restricted eating (TRE) with windows of 16 hours of fasting and 8 hours of eating) on elite cyclists' performance, metabolic and blood parameters.

Sixteen elite under-23 cyclists were randomly assigned to a TRE group or to a control group (CTRL) with a traditional meal pattern. The TRE group consumed 100% of its estimated daily energy needs in an 8-hour time window: from 10:00 AM (ante meridiem) to 6:00 PM (post meridiem) whilst the CTRL group consumed 100% of its estimated daily energy needs in 3 meals between 7:00 AM and 9:00 PM. During the experimental period, training loads were similar in the two groups. Athletes were tested before and after 4 weeks of the intervention. Body composition , basal metabolism, performances indexes and blood parameters were measured.

Inclusion Criteria:

• elite under 23 cyclists male

Exclusion Criteria:

• adherence to special diets
• use of nutritional supplements (except a daily multivitamin-mineral and/or protein supplement)
• use of medications