Introduction — Ketones & Sports

Ketones are molecules produced by the liver when the body breaks down fat for energy, especially during periods of low carbohydrate availability (e.g., fasting or ketogenic diets). In sports, ketones can also be supplied externally as exogenous ketone supplements, and have been marketed as a potential fuel source, recovery aid, or performance enhancer in endurance activities. However, the scientific evidence on their benefits for athletic performance, efficiency, and recovery is mixed and under active discussion among researchers and sport governing bodies. For example, cycling’s governing body has stated that ketone supplements are legal but not recommended due to limited evidence of clear performance benefit.

📌 Webinar Summary — Ketones: the claims, the evidence, the application
A live expert webinar hosted on 25 February by MySportScience Academy titled “Ketones: the claims, the evidence, the application.” The session was presented by Dr. Chiel Poffé (Assistant Professor in exercise physiology and nutrition) with Professor Asker Jeukendrup as host.

https://www.mysportscienceacademy.com/course/ketones-separating-fact-from-fiction

Core focus:
The webinar explored the physiology of ketones in the context of sports performance and nutrition. It addressed the hype versus the data by reviewing how ketones are produced and used in the body, the differences between endogenous and exogenous ketones, and how they interact with carbohydrate and lactate metabolism during exercise.

Key topics covered:

• Foundations of ketone metabolism: What ketones are and how they are generated in the body.

• Endogenous vs exogenous ketones: How naturally produced and supplement-derived ketones differ in their physiological effects.

• Evidence review: A study-by-study examination of research on ketones and endurance performance, highlighting why results often conflict and what drives observed outcomes.

• Practical interpretation: Discussion on how dose, timing, formulation, and an athlete’s training status can influence responses to ketones, and how practitioners should interpret and apply the evidence in real-world sport settings.