Carpe DIEM Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Impact of Diet-induced change in Energy Balance on Metabolism in Endurance Athletes: the Carpe DIEM Study
IRAS ID
345572
Contact name
Julie Barnett
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bath
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
359621683, PURE
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Recent research has suggested that increasing levels of physical activity are associated with a reduction in the independent components that contribute to total energy expenditure (such as resting metabolic rate and non-exercise movement) - this occurs to conserve energy required for physical activity where energy provision becomes scarce. There are potential deleterious health and performance consequences of a reduced energy supply to fundamental metabolic processes, putting individuals regularly undertaking high levels of physical activity, such as endurance athletes, at risk. However, this association is largely based on observational data in only moderately active populations, and it is currently unclear what role energy balance status and biological sex has on this relationship.
This research intends to address these unknowns by assessing the impact of diet-induced manipulation of energy balance (conditions of energy deficit and energy surplus) in individuals undertaking habitually high levels of physical activity on independent components of total energy expenditure (resting metabolism, exercise and non-exercise movement).
Male and female athletes conducting regular moderate-to-high training volumes will undertake a randomised crossover study with a 7-day state of energy deficit and a 7-day state of energy surplus. Participants will continue to live and train as normal, but their diet will be controlled by specific food provision over the intervention periods in order to facilitate both conditions. Independent components of energy expenditure, markers of health, metabolism and performance will be measured to allow for comparison of conditions.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 3
REC reference
25/WS/0060
Date of REC Opinion
6 Jun 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion