This study used a randomized cross-over design. Each participant completed a low carbohydrate and a high carbohydrate trial in a random order, separated by a 30-day wash-out period. Each trial comprised of a 7-day weight loss period, followed by an 18-hr recovery period. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 7-day caloric restriction with low- or high-carbohydrate diet, combined with an 18-hr recovery period, on body weight loss and taekwondo-specific performance.
Low-carbohydrate diets are often used as weight-loss strategies by obese individuals and athletes. This diet has effects on oxidizing fat and suppressing appetite. But short term evidences are still few. In combat sports such as taekwondo, athletes prefer rapid weight loss to achieve a desired weight category. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of the low carbohydrate diet combined with strict calorie restriction on body composition and exercise performance in taekwondo athletes.