Time-restricted eating (TRE) is a particular form of intermittent fasting, during which the normal period of fasting is 12–23 h per day, whereas TRE can be performed with or without caloric restriction as long as the individual adheres to the specified window of time. A recent randomised trial involving 16 elite under-23 cyclists, implementing TRE during 4 weeks of high-level endurance training yielded reduced body weight and fat mass percentage with no change in fat-free mass. Due to the weight loss in TRE group, improved peak power output/body weight ratio (PPO/BW) was observed in TRE group. Moreover, TRE may have a protective effect on some components of the immune system. Thus, TRE can be considered to be included in the nutrition plan in endurance athletes.

Keyword: Time-restricted eating, intermittent fasting, endurance sports, body composition, immune system   

Reference

Moro et al, J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2020; 17: 65.