In this episode of the Melbourne Athletic Development Podcast, we are joined by Professor Louise Burke, a leading sports dietitian and the chair of sports nutrition at the Mary McKillop Institute for Health Research. Louise discusses her work with athletes to academia and the importance of research embedded training camps. We discuss her findings from numerous studies on the ketogenic diet and its impact on performance. Despite the popularity of the keto diet, Professor Burke's research shows that it impairs performance due to the reduced ability to use carbohydrates as a fuel source at high intensities. The conversation explores the balance between health and performance in athletes, particularly in relation to diet and weight management. Louise Burke discusses the challenges of finding the right balance and the potential long-term health implications of high carbohydrate diets in endurance athletes. She emphasizes the importance of the quality of the diet and the need to choose nutrient-rich, whole foods while allowing for some ultra-processed foods in moderation. The conversation also touches on the complexities of weight cuts in combat sports and the impact on athletes' lives and careers.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

11:20 The Impact of the Ketogenic Diet on Performance

32:52 Individual Responses to the Ketogenic Diet

44:20 The Impact of Keto Diet on Performance

53:37 The Importance of Diet Quality

01:04:25 Prioritizing Health in Athletes

01:15:07 The Association Between Nutrition and Injury Development

01:24:53 Comparing the Outcomes of Energy Restriction

Melbourne Athletic Development is a sports and injury management clinic based in Melbourne, Australia. To maximise your performance or optimise your injury management contact the team at www.melbourneathleticdevelopment.com.au