Consumption of meat, eggs and dairy products is associated with aerobic and anaerobic performance in Brazilian athletes – a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective: to associate food consumption according to the groups that make up the food pyramid with the aerobic and anaerobic performance of Brazilian athletes. Method: a cross-sectional study of 168 athletes with a mean age and BMI of 20.84 ± 7.74 years and 22.88 ± 3.1 kg/m², respectively. Results: maximum power output was significantly associated with the meat and eggs groups (β = 0.31; p < 0.05). VO2max exhibited a positive relationship with the fruit group (β = 0.29; p < 0.05). A significant inverse relation between VO2max and the legumes group was observed (β = −0.76; p < 0.05). The meat and eggs group and the dairy products group had an inverse and significant association with VO2max (β = −0.43; p < 0.01). Conclusions: consumption of meat and eggs showed a positive association with anaerobic performance, whereas the same group and the dairy products group had a negative association with aerobic performance.