Duration: 2017 – 2018
Project partner: ASV Dachau, BKK ProVita, Fachhochschule des Mittelstands (FHM)
Principal Investigator: B. Sc. Oliver Brand
Study design
Scientific knowledge on vegan nutrition in (competitive) sport has been limited to date. Therefore, this pilot study was conducted to investigate the effects of switching to a vegan diet over a period of 12 weeks on performance and nutrient status in healthy male amateur athletes (volleyball). Food intake (n = 9) as well as anthropometric data and blood values (n = 11) of the participants were recorded twice: once while the participants followed an omnivorous diet and once while they followed a vegan diet. To record food and nutrient intake, 3-day weighed dietary records were kept. One dietary record was completed before the study (omnivorous diet) and two during the intervention (vegan diet). In addition, blood samples were drawn before and after the intervention to determine nutrient and risk parameters.