Data Sheet 1_Effects of time-restricted eating on body composition and performance in athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.docx

Risk of bias was assessed using RoB 2 and evidence certainty using GRADE.</p>Results<p>Sixteen studies from 15 articles involving 245 athletes were included. TRE did not significantly alter energy intake (SMDpooled = −0.35, 95%CI: −0.77 to 0.07, p = 0.11). Compared with non-TRE dietary patterns, TRE resulted in small but significant reductions in body mass (SMDpooled = −0.27, 95%CI: −0.50 to −0.04; p = 0.02) and body fat% (SMDpooled = −0.39, 95%CI: −0.68 to −0.11, p = 0.01), while fat mass (SMDpooled = −0.23, 95%CI: −0.48 to 0.02, p = 0.07) and lean mass (SMDpooled = −0.16, 95%CI: −0.42 to 0.09, p = 0.21) were unchanged.

TRE had no significant effects on aerobic capacity (SMDpooled = 0.04, 95%CI: −0.29 to 0.37, p = 0.82), muscular endurance (SMDpooled = −0.20, 95%CI: −0.52 to 0.13, p = 0.23), muscular strength (SMDpooled = 0.01, 95%CI: −0.25 to 0.27, p = 0.94), or power (SMDpooled = −0.12, 95%CI: −0.44 to 0.20, p = 0.47). Subgroup analyses suggested potentially greater reductions in body mass and body fat% among elite athletes, although between-subgroup differences were not statistically significant.

Certainty of evidence ranged from very low to moderate.</p>Conclusion<p>TRE may represent a feasible dietary strategy for athletes seeking modest reductions in body mass and body fat% without clear detrimental effects on performance. However, evidence remains limited by small samples, short interventions, and methodological concerns, warranting larger, well-controlled, and longer-term trials across diverse athletic populations.</p>Systematic review registration<p>PROSPERO unique identifier CRD420261291351.</p>