Effects of Habitual Vegan vs Omnivore Diet on Energy Utilization and Muscle Function Recovery Following Downhill Running in Recreationally Trained Participants

The purpose of this study is to assess differences in recovery between vegan and omnivore groups following a downhill running protocol. In addition, we will assess differences in macro/micronutrient intake between groups and its relationship with recovery post downhill running protocol.

This study will consist of 7 visits. Each visit will take approximately 30-60 minutes to complete with the exception of visit 4 that will take approximately 2 hours to complete. Visits 1, 2, and 3 will be familiarization and/or training trials separated by at least 48 hours. Visits 4, 5, 6, and 7 will be separated by 24 hours.

You will be asked to complete two days of training on the treadmill following a baseline visit. Training visits will consist of a standardized warm-up followed by a 30-min run on a motorized treadmill performed at 70% of VO2max and 0% grade. Then, you will complete visit 4 that will include a testing battery followed by a downhill running protocol on the treadmill at -15% grade and 70% of your speed at VO2max. Once the downhill running protocol is completed, you will rest in the lab for 1 hour followed by the testing battery. The testing battery will consist of muscle thickness assessment, soreness scale, pain pressure threshold, bioelectrical impedance analysis, thigh circumference measurement, countermovement jump, isometric mid-thigh pull, and running economy. Visits 5, 6, and 7 will take place 24, 48, and 72 hours following the downhill running protocol, respectively, and will include the same testing battery as visit 4.