Position of the working group sports nutrition of the german nutrition society (Dge): Fats, fat loading, and sports performance

Abstract

› This position statement represents the current state of scientific knowledge regarding the recommended fat intake in ambi-tious recreational and high level sports. It also addresses dietary strategies (fat-loading methods) and food supplements that are designed to influence fat metabolism during physical exercise. › No recommendation has so far been established for sports-spe-cific fat intake in absolute numbers (g/kg body weight [BW]/d), in line with international practices regarding carbohydrate and protein. However, there is consensus among scientific sports medicine associations that fat consumption should not exceed 30% of the energy intake (E%), nor fall below 20 E%, particularly in endurance sports. › Before competitions, some athletes practice fat-loading strategies which include a ketogenic diet. This procedure is not advisable, as there is no scientific evidence of improvement in either endurance (>70% VO2 max) or sprint/strength performance. Moreover, the extensive restriction of carbohydrate intake is not in accordance with the internationally-accepted nutritional gui-delines for athletes, and the food choice is unbalanced according to the recommendations of the German Nutrition Society (DGE). › The current use of dietary supplements which are sup-posed to improve the availability/oxidation of fatty acids, e.g. caffeine, carnitine, fish oil, middle chain triglycerides (MCT), is also generally discouraged.