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Quality of life of female and male vegetarian and vegan endurance runners compared to omnivores – results from the NURMI study (step 2)
This 2018 study investigates whether following a vegetarian or vegan diet can modulate quality of life in athletes. There is evidence indicating that these diet types can positively affect exercise performance in athletes, but there is limited data on its influence on well-being and psyche. This study examined the quality of life scores of endurance runners, and compared those who adhere to an omnivore diet with those who eat a vegetarian or vegan diet. The 281 runners (male and female) completed questionnaires that assessed physical health, psychological well-being, social relationships, and environmental conditions. More of the participants followed a vegetarian or vegan diet rather than an omnivore diet (158 vs. 123). The final analyses were performed on the 173 runners who met the inclusion criteria. Among this sample, there were 103 half-marathoners and 70 marathoners/ultramarathoners. The study also added a control group of 10km runners. The overall quality of life scores among the sample was high. Men were found to score higher than women overall due to the high scores in the physical health and psychological well-being dimensions. Eating an omnivore diet appeared to influence environmental scores among women, and affected social relationship scores among men. In summary, endurance runners showed high quality of life scores, regardless of the distance they run or diet choice. The vegetarian and vegan diet may be equal alternatives to the omnivore diet. [NPID: runners, athletes, vegetarian diet, vegan diet, healthy diets, quality of life, sports psychology, running, marathon running]
Year: 2018
