Effects of the Paleo diet on resting metabolic rate in handball players

The Paleolithic diet has positive effects on health status and body composition. Twenty-five handball players were assigned into two groups: 14 in the experimental group (the Paleo diet; PD) and 11 in the control group (rational diet; CD) for 8-weeks of normoenergetic nutritional intervention. Resting metabolic rate was measured by indirect calorimetry using a Cortex MetaLyzer 3R ergospirometer. Oxygen uptake (VO2), carbon dioxide production (VCO2), respiratory quotient (RQ), RMR, and substrate utilization (carbohydrate, fat, protein) and energy expenditure from each substrate were measured during the measurement. Eight weeks of a normoenergetic Paleo diet did not affect resting metabolic rate. There were no differences in RMR parameters, as well as VO2, VCO2, RQ, substrate utilization, and energy expenditure from each substrate between the PD and CD groups. The results indicate that the moderate-carbohydrate diet does not impact resting metabolic rate in professional handball players. The Paleo diet may be beneficial for health status and body composition in this population, but further research is needed to fully understand its effects on RMR. The present study suggests that the moderate-carbohydrate diet is not effective in modulating resting metabolic rate in professional handball players. This finding has implications for nutritional recommendations and training strategies for this population. A moderate-carbohydrate diet may be a suitable option for handball players seeking to maintain or improve their health status and body composition without affecting their resting metabolic rate. However, the results should be interpreted with caution, and further research is necessary to confirm these findings. The current study highlights the importance of considering individual nutritional needs and variability in response to dietary interventions in this population. The moderate-carbohydrate diet may be a valuable option for handball players, but its effectiveness in modulating resting metabolic rate warrants further investigation. The results of this study should be considered in conjunction with other research on the Paleo diet and its effects on handball players' performance and health status.