Nutrition, Exercise

and Sports

Level of Evidence
EVIDENCE PYRAMID
 Meta analysis &
systematic reviews

Intervention
trials

Observational studies
(cohort, case control)

Anecdotal evidence & opinions

 Meta analysis &
systematic reviews

Intervention
trials

Observational studies
HYPOTHESIS
(cohort, case control)

Anecdotal evidence & opinions

 Meta analysis &
systematic reviews

Intervention
trials

Observational studies
(cohort, case control)

Anecdotal evidence & opinions

 140

120

Carbohydrate intake (g/h) 100

80

60

40

20

0
400 500 600 700 800 900 1000

Finish time (min)

[Source: adapted from Pfeiffer et al. MSSE 2012]

Cause or Consequence?
 Meta analysis &
systematic reviews

Intervention
trials

Observational studies
(cohort, case control)

Anecdotal evidence & opinions

 Glucose + Fructose

Glucose

Placebo

210 220 230 240 250 260 270 280

Mean Power (W)

[Source: adapted from Currell and Jeukendrup, MSSE 2008]

 Meta analysis &
systematic reviews

Intervention
trials

Observational studies
(cohort, case control)

Anecdotal evidence & opinions

 Meta- analysis

“ Carbohydrate supplements with an

appropriate composition and
administration regimen can have large
benefits on endurance performance”.

[Source: Vandenbogaerde & Hopkins, Sports Med, 2011]

population-level vs individuals
EVIDENCE PYRAMID
EVIDENCE PYRAMID