Elsa Ansari¹, Dilawar Pathan²* and Emmanson Emmanson Godswill³

^{1Department of Chemistry, University of Sindh Jamshoro, Pakistan
2Physical Education Health and Sports Science, University of Sindh Jamshoro, Pakistan
3Sacred Heart College of Nursing Sciences, Nigeria}

*Corresponding Author: Dilawar Pathan, Physical Education Health and Sports Science, University of Sindh Jamshoro, Pakistan.

Received: June 24, 2024; Published: July 22, 2024

Abstract

This study investigates the role of macronutrients in enhancing athletic performance through a combination of dietary interventions and performance assessments. Sixty athletes (30 males and 30 females) were randomly assigned to three groups: carbohydrate-focused, protein-focused, and mixed macronutrient. Over a 12-week period, each group followed a specific dietary regimen: 60% carbohydrates, 30% proteins, and a balanced intake of 50% carbohydrates, 25% proteins, and 25% fats, respectively. Performance metrics, including VO2 max, one-repetition maximum (1RM) squat, and 20-meter shuttle run, were measured at baseline, mid-intervention, and post-intervention. Biochemical markers such as blood glucose, serum insulin, muscle glycogen content, and C-reactive protein were also assessed. Results demonstrated significant improvements in endurance performance (VO2 max) for the carbohydrate-focused group, increasing from 50.2 ± 4.5 ml/kg/min at baseline to 55.1 ± 4.1 ml/kg/min at 12 weeks (p < 0.001). The protein-focused group showed the greatest gains in 1RM squat, rising from 112.0 ± 13.0 kg to 123.1 ± 12.1 kg (p < 0.001). The mixed macronutrient group exhibited comprehensive improvements across all metrics, including a significant increase in VO2 max (from 50.0 ± 4.2 ml/kg/min to 54.8 ± 3.9 ml/kg/min) and 1RM squat (from 111.2 ± 12.8 kg to 122.4 ± 11.9 kg). Additionally, all groups experienced substantial enhancements in muscle glycogen content and reductions in serum insulin and C-reactive protein, indicating improved metabolic health and reduced inflammation. This study underscores the importance of tailored macronutrient intake in optimizing athletic performance. Carbohydrates are crucial for sustaining endurance and high-intensity activities, while proteins are vital for muscle repair and strength gains. A balanced intake of macronutrients provides holistic benefits, enhancing various performance metrics and supporting overall health. These findings advocate for personalized nutrition strategies, developed in collaboration with dietitians, to meet the specific demands of athletes. Future research should focus on the long-term effects of these dietary interventions across diverse athletic populations to refine and enhance nutritional recommendations. This study highlights the critical role of macronutrients in athletic performance, demonstrating that individualized dietary interventions can significantly improve endurance, strength, and recovery, thereby optimizing overall athletic performance and health.

Keywords: Macronutrients; Athletic Performance

References

1. Beelen M., et al. "Carbohydrate-protein intake to maximize recovery”. Journal of Applied Physiology (2011).
2. Betts JA and Williams C. "Short-term recovery from prolonged exercise”. Journal of Sports Sciences (2010).
3. Brown D. "Enhancing Athletic Performance with Sports Nutrition”. University of Idaho.
4. Burke LM., et al. "Carbohydrates for training and competition”. Journal of Sports Sciences 29 (2011): 17-27.
5. Coffey VG., et al. "The influence of protein-carbohydrate supplementation on exercise performance”. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society (2023).
6. De Souza MJ., et al. "Energy availability and reproductive function in athletes”. Sports Medicine (2019).
7. Frontiers Editorial. "Sport Nutrigenomics: Personalized Nutrition for Athletic Performance”. Frontiers in Nutrition (2023).
8. Hawley JA and Leckey JJ. "Carbohydrate and fat metabolism during exercise”. Sports Medicine 45 (2015): 5-12.
9. Ivy JL. "Glycogen resynthesis after exercise”. Journal of Applied Physiology (2001).
10. James LJ., et al. "Hydration and endurance performance”. Sports Medicine (2019).
11. Joyner MJ and Coyle EF. "Physiological basis of endurance exercise performance”. Journal of Physiology (2008).
12. Maughan RJ., et al. "Endurance exercise performance: The physiology of champions”. Journal of Physiology (2008).
13. Moore DR., et al. "Protein ingestion to stimulate myofibrillar protein synthesis”. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society (2023).
14. Nutritional Guidelines Committee. "Advances in understanding the interplay between dietary practices and sports performance”. Nutrients (2024).
15. Phillips SM. "Dietary protein requirements and adaptive advantages in athletes”. British Journal of Nutrition (2012).
16. Russell M and Parnell J. "Special Issue: Nutrition Support for Athletic Performance”. Nutrients (2024).
17. Sale C and Elliott-Sale KJ. "Nutrition and athlete bone health”. Sports Medicine (2019).
18. Scheiman J., et al. "Effects of Nutritional Interventions on Athletic Performance”. Nutrients (2024).
19. Thomas DT., et al. "Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Dietitians of Canada, and the American College of Sports Medicine: Nutrition and Athletic Performance”. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics3 (2016): 501-528.
20. Williams C and Rollo I. "Carbohydrate nutrition and team sport performance”. Journal of Sports Sciences 45 (2015): 13-22.

Citation

Citation: Dilawar Pathan., et al. “The Role of Macronutrients in Athletic Performance".Acta Scientific Anatomy 3.7 (2024): 08-16.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2024 Dilawar Pathan., et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.