Date of Award
5-2023
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Food, Nutrition, and Culinary Science
Committee Chair/Advisor
Dr. Elliot Jesch
Committee Member
Dr. Greg Batt
Committee Member
Dr. William Bridges
Abstract
Objectives: The main question in this study was “Do nutrients present within the MyPlate and Paleo dietary patterns affect exercise parameters in a positive way?” An auxiliary question was “Do nutrients present within these two diets reduce comorbidities of chronic diseases?”
Methods: This study analyzed secondary data collected from a previous diet and exercise study. Dietary records were analyzed for correlations between nutrient intake and exercise performance in both diet groups. Further stratification by VO2 peak performance was done to analyze nutrient intake differences between high and low-performing individuals.
Results: The MyPlate eating pattern increased body fat percentage, blood pressure, and resting heart rate, while the Paleo eating pattern decreased these variables. The Paleo group consumed fewer carbohydrates, fats, and protein, and more B vitamins, amino acids, omega-3 fats, and other water- and fat-soluble vitamins. Calcium, zinc, iron, and thiamine were positively correlated with an increase in diastolic blood pressure. Peak minute ventilation and relative VO2 peak at baseline were statistically significant in the Paleo group, while the MyPlate group had a lowered peak respiratory exchange ratio.
Conclusion: Decreasing total fat mass and increasing total lean mass through a dietary pattern that focuses on the intake of vegetables, fruits, lean meats, eggs, wild game, seafood, and nuts and seeds with a limited intake of refined foods and added sugars is beneficial for exercise performance and overall health outcomes for sedentary weight stable females aged 19-28 not currently following a structured diet in Clemson, South Carolina.
Recommended Citation
Maurer, Samuel, "The Influence of Diet Recommendations on Exercise Performance, Specifically Single and Multi-Nutrient Effects" (2023). All Theses. 4015.
https://open.clemson.edu/all_theses/4015