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Access Type
WSU Access
Date of Award
January 2025
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Department
Health Education
First Advisor
Jeffrey J. Martin
Abstract
This randomized controlled trial investigated the psychological and physiological effects of a ketogenic diet (KD) in recreational distance runners over a 10-week period. Participants (N = 15) were assigned to one of three groups: a standard diet control (SD), a ketogenic diet with placebo (KDP), or a ketogenic diet with electrolyte supplementation (KDE). After a 2-week baseline on a standard diet, participants followed their assigned diet for 8 weeks. Psychological outcomes were measured weekly using the Activation-Deactivation Adjective Checklist (AD ACL) and Physical Activity Affect Scale (PAAS), with a focus on subscales for fatigue, tension, negative affect, tranquility, and tiredness. Weekly blood ketone concentrations and aerobic performance measures were also collected.Primary analyses used repeated measures general linear models (rmGLMs) with baseline covariates to account for individual differences in affect prior to the intervention. Significant time × group interactions were observed for fatigue (p < .011), tension (p = .001), and negative affect (p = .047). The KDE group demonstrated marked reductions in fatigue and tension over time, in contrast to the KDP group, which showed prolonged affective disruption. These effects were not consistently detected in non-covariate models, highlighting the increased sensitivity of baseline-adjusted analyses. Tranquility also showed a significant time × group interaction (p = .023) primarily explained by decreases in the placebo group's Tranquility . Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) significantly declined between Weeks 5 and 10 (p = .047), suggesting improved exercise tolerance after adaptation. A linear mixed-effects model using person-mean centered ketone values showed that weekly ketone levels were not significantly associated with changes in subscale scores. VO₂ max and training volume were preserved across groups. Together, these findings suggest that while keto-induction may initially disrupt affective valence, electrolyte-supported adaptation may promote psychological recovery without impairing performance.
Recommended Citation
Martin, Adam J., "Effects Of A Ketogenic Diet Intervention On Affective Valence In Recreational Distance Runners" (2025). Wayne State University Dissertations. 4240.
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/oa_dissertations/4240