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Carbohydrate PeriodizationEvidence & Dosage

Train‑Low, Glycogen Adaptation, and Performance Outcomes.

Studies last updated

Evidence at a glance

Total studies
687
With abstract
49
Meta / Systematic / RCT
122
Highly cited
50
Publication years
1981–2026

Carbohydrate Periodization in the context of Performance

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Top studies on Carbohydrate Periodization

Ranked by influential-citation count and publication year.

  1. Combinations of physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep: relationships with health indicators in school-aged children and youth.

    Appl Physiol Nutr Metab2016n=36,560Systematic Review200 influential citations

    The purpose of this systematic review was to determine how combinations of physical activity (PA), sedentary behaviour (SB), and sleep were associated with important health indicators in children and youth aged 5–17 years. Online databases…

  2. Efficacy and safety of low and very low carbohydrate diets for type 2 diabetes remission: systematic review and meta-analysis of published and unpublished randomized trial data.

    BMJ2021n=1,357Meta-Analysis200 influential citations

    Objective To determine the efficacy and safety of low carbohydrate diets (LCDs) and very low carbohydrate diets (VLCDs) for people with type 2 diabetes. Design Systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources Searches of CENTRAL, Medline,…

  3. European Association for the Study of Obesity Position Statement on Medical Nutrition Therapy for the Management of Overweight and Obesity in Adults Developed in Collaboration with the European Federation of the Associations of Dietitians.

    Obes Facts2023n=56systematic122 influential citations

    INTRODUCTION: Obesity affects nearly 1 in 4 European adults increasing their risk for mortality and physical and psychological morbidity. Obesity is a chronic relapsing disease characterized by abnormal or excessive adiposity with risks to…

  4. Nutritional Strategies for Optimizing Health, Sports Performance, and Recovery for Female Athletes and Other Physically Active Women: A Systematic Review.

    Nutr Rev2025n=165Systematic Review94 influential citations

    <h4>Context</h4>Despite the progress toward gender equality in events like the Olympic Games and other institutionalized competitions, and the rising number of women engaging in physical exercise programs, scientific studies focused on…

  5. Fundamentals of glycogen metabolism for coaches and athletes.

    Nutrition reviews2018D88 influential citations

    The ability of athletes to train day after day depends in large part on adequate restoration of muscle glycogen stores, a process that requires the consumption of sufficient dietary carbohydrates and ample time. Providing effective…

  6. Effects of lifestyle interventions on clinical characteristics of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A meta-analysis.

    Metabolism2017n=107meta87 influential citations

    BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Although lifestyle modifications remain the cornerstone therapy for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the optimal lifestyle intervention is still controversial. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate…

  7. Dietary Intakes of Professional and Semi-Professional Team Sport Athletes Do Not Meet Sport Nutrition Recommendations-A Systematic Literature Review.

    Nutrients2019n=511Systematic Review83 influential citations

    Background: to develop sport-specific and effective dietary advice, it is important to understand the dietary intakes of team sport athletes. This systematic literature review aims to (1) assess the dietary intakes of professional and…

  8. Effects of dietary supplements on athletic performance in elite soccer players: a systematic review.

    J Int Soc Sports Nutr2023n=18systematic80 influential citations

    Dietary supplements are widely used among athletes, and soccer players are no exception. Nevertheless, evidence supporting the use of dietary supplements aiming to enhance performance in soccer is somewhat contradictory, scarce, or even…

  9. Exercise for health for early postmenopausal women: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials.

    Sports Med2004n=264Systematic Review77 influential citations

    Women who pass menopause face many changes that may lead to loss of health-related fitness (HRF), especially if sedentary. Many exercise recommendations are also relevant for early postmenopausal women; however, these may not meet their…

  10. Early enteral nutrition within 24 hours of lower gastrointestinal surgery versus later commencement for length of hospital stay and postoperative complications.

    Cochrane Database Syst Rev2019n=143Systematic Review71 influential citations

    <h4>Background</h4>This is an update of the review last published in 2011. It focuses on early postoperative enteral nutrition after lower gastrointestinal surgery. Traditional management consisted of 'nil by mouth', where patients receive…

Frequently asked

What dosage was studied?
• Combinations of physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep (High PA/high sleep/low SB; high PA/high sleep; high PA/low SB versus lower-activity combinations) • low carbohydrate diets (LCDs) and very low carbohydrate diets (VLCDs) (<130 g/day or <26% of a 2000 kcal/day diet for LCDs; <10% calories from carbohydrates for VLCDs)
Which population does the evidence apply to?
Most studies investigated: unknown.
Are there safety considerations for Carbohydrate Periodization?
• Not reported • No significant or clinically important differences in adverse events at 6 or 12 months. • No significant or clinically important between-group differences in blood lipids at 6 and 12 months. • 12-month quality of life and LDL cholesterol worsened clinically, though not statistically significant.

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