Effects of time-restricted feeding on supramaximal exercise performance and body composition: a randomized and counterbalanced crossover study in healthy men
Abstract BackgroundUsing a crossover design, we explored the effects of both short- and long-term TRF vs. regular diet on Wingate (WnT) performance and body composition in well-trained young men. MethodsTwelve healthy male physical education students were included. The order of dieting was randomized and counterbalanced, and all participants served as their own controls. TRF was limited to an 8-h eating window and non- TRF involved a customary meal pattern. Participants performed WnT tests and body composition scans at baseline, post-1 and 4 weeks of the assigned diet. Before testing, participants were asked to fill out a dietary record over 4 consecutive days and were instructed to continue their habitual training throughout the study. Energy intake and macronutrient distribution were similar at baseline in both conditions. ResultsWnT mean power and total work output increased post-4 weeks of TRF. Both conditions were similarly effective in increasing fat-free mass after 4 weeks of intervention. However, there was no correlation between change in fat-free mass and WnT mean power after TRF. Neither condition elicited any changes in WnT performance or body composition 1 week post-intervention. ConclusionsThus, long- term TRF can be used in combination with regular training to improve supramaximal exercise performance in well-trained men. Trial registration: This study has been 'retrospectively registered' in Clinical Trials and its registration number is NCT04756635.