Differences in protein intake, muscle mass, muscle strength, and muscle power in vegetarian and omnivorous recreational runners in Metropolitan Lima
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v71.115783Keywords:
Runners, protein intake, muscle mass, muscle strength, muscle power, vegetarianismAbstract
Introduction: Running is an endurance sport that requires well-planned nutritional strategies; however, there are few studies on the impact of vegetarian diets on the performance of runners.
Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the difference in protein intake, muscle mass, muscle strength and muscle power between vegetarian and omnivorous runners in Metropolitan Lima in 2024.
Methodology: In this cross-sectional study, 64 omnivorous and 19 vegetarian runners, aged 25-39 years, residents of Metropolitan Lima, who followed a vegetarian or omnivorous diet in the last 6 months and trained at least 3 times per week, were recruited. Participants were given a 24-hour recall, perimeter and skinfold measurements, a maximal isometric strength test and a countermovement jump test to calculate their protein intake, muscle mass, muscle strength and muscle power, respectively.
Results: No significant differences were found in protein intake between vegetarians and omnivores, respectively (1.63 ± 0.38 vs. 1.52 ± 0.37; p = 0.17), muscle mass (0.40 ± 0.05 vs. 0.40 ± 0.05; p = 0.87), muscle strength in leg flexion (0.38 ± 0.14 vs. 0.49 ± 0.51; p = 0.52) and muscle strength in handgrip (0.51 ± 0.09 vs. 0.55 ± 0.16; p=0.52), but it was significant in muscle power (21.65 ± 5.37 vs. 25.49 ± 6.27; p <0.05).
Conclusions: Vegetarian runners showed lower muscle power than omnivores, with a significant difference found; while, in the case of protein intake, muscle mass and strength, they obtained similar results.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Pierina Laiz Arbulú Barreto, Alvaro José Arce Vega, Antonio Castillo-Paredes, Jose Jairo Narrea Vargas
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