The Effect of a Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian Diet on the Performance Levels of Runners

Sarah Miller

School Name

Chapin High School

Grade Level

12th Grade

Presentation Topic

Physiology and Health

Presentation Type

Non-Mentored

Abstract

Many people start vegan and vegetarian diets to improve their health because these diets contain the necessary protein, fiber, and minerals without unnecessary saturated animal fat and cholesterol that meat based diets do. For athletes, the foods they consume play a crucial role in their performance levels. Optimum athletic performance is promoted by adequate energy intake. Although there has been some concern about protein intake for vegetarian and vegan athletes, data indicates that all essential and non-essential amino acids can be supplied by plant food sources alone as long as a variety of foods are consumed and the energy intake is adequate (Nieman, 1999). A study by Somannavar Kodliwadmath verified that antioxidant levels are significantly higher in people eating vegetarian diets than omnivore diets. Utilizing a quasi-experimental method, this study will anatomize the effect of a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet on the performance levels of runners. I will be measuring my participants' speed and endurance through a pretest-posttest design to execute the comparative aspect of my study. I will then analyze my data through a repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) study design to compare means between two groups, assess change in outcome over time, and evaluate the interactions between time and diet group. I hypothesize that in a test of speed and endurance, runners on the lacto-ovo vegetarian diet will surpass the performance level--an athlete measures his or her performance as a progression toward excellence or achievement--of other runners on their omnivore diet. The aim of this study is to influence athletes to change and/or improve their current diets to enhance their performance levels.

Location

Furman Hall 209

Start Date

3-28-2020 1:30 PM

Presentation Format

Oral and Written

Group Project

No

COinS
 
Mar 28th, 1:30 PM

The Effect of a Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian Diet on the Performance Levels of Runners

Furman Hall 209

Many people start vegan and vegetarian diets to improve their health because these diets contain the necessary protein, fiber, and minerals without unnecessary saturated animal fat and cholesterol that meat based diets do. For athletes, the foods they consume play a crucial role in their performance levels. Optimum athletic performance is promoted by adequate energy intake. Although there has been some concern about protein intake for vegetarian and vegan athletes, data indicates that all essential and non-essential amino acids can be supplied by plant food sources alone as long as a variety of foods are consumed and the energy intake is adequate (Nieman, 1999). A study by Somannavar Kodliwadmath verified that antioxidant levels are significantly higher in people eating vegetarian diets than omnivore diets. Utilizing a quasi-experimental method, this study will anatomize the effect of a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet on the performance levels of runners. I will be measuring my participants' speed and endurance through a pretest-posttest design to execute the comparative aspect of my study. I will then analyze my data through a repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) study design to compare means between two groups, assess change in outcome over time, and evaluate the interactions between time and diet group. I hypothesize that in a test of speed and endurance, runners on the lacto-ovo vegetarian diet will surpass the performance level--an athlete measures his or her performance as a progression toward excellence or achievement--of other runners on their omnivore diet. The aim of this study is to influence athletes to change and/or improve their current diets to enhance their performance levels.