ArticleExtreme physiology & medicine2015
A case study evaluation of competitors undertaking an antarctic ultra-endurance event: nutrition, hydration and body composition variables.
Article in Extreme physiology & medicine, 2015. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 13 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
13 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Antarctic Expeditions: A Systematic Review of the Physiological, Nutritional, Body Composition and Psychological Responses to Treks Across the Continental Ice.Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) · 2025Pooled it
- Real-time thermoregulatory and cardiovascular monitoring of non-acclimatised mountaineers in extreme cold: a 10-day field expedition study.Frontiers in physiology · 2026Article
- Energy balance in women during polar trekking-The POWER study.Physiological reports · 2025Article
- Serum parameters and energy balance during the Yukon Arctic Ultra: a multistage ultramarathon in Arctic conditions.Frontiers in nutrition · 2025Article
- Antioxidants in Sport Sarcopenia.Nutrients · 2020Review
- Training and Body Composition during Preparation for a 48-Hour Ultra-Marathon Race: A Case Study of a Master Athlete.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2019Article
- Body Composition Changes During a 24-h Winter Mountain Running Race Under Extremely Cold Conditions.Frontiers in physiology · 2019Article
- Physiological and Pathophysiological Consequences of a 25-Day Ultra-Endurance Exercise Challenge.Frontiers in physiology · 2019Article
- Nutrition in Ultra-Endurance: State of the Art.Nutrients · 2018Review
- Maintained Hydration Status After a 24-h Winter Mountain Running Race Under Extremely Cold Conditions.Frontiers in physiology · 2018Article
- Training Intensity Distribution and Changes in Performance and Physiology of a 2nd Place Finisher Team of the Race across America Over a 6 Month Preparation Period.Frontiers in physiology · 2016Article
- Nutritional implications for ultra-endurance walking and running events.Extreme physiology & medicine · 2016Review
- Three years of Extreme Physiology & Medicine.Extreme physiology & medicine · 2015Article
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe nutritional demands of ultra-endurance racing are well documented. However, the relationship between nutritional consumption and performance measures are less obvious for athletes competing in Polar conditions. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate dietary intake, hydration status, body composition and performance times throughout an 800-km Antarctic race.
methodsThe event organisers declared that 17 competitors would participate in the South Pole race. Of the 17 competitors, pre-race data were collected from 13 participants (12 males and 1 female (M ± SD): age: 40.1 ± 8.9 years; weight: 83.9 ± 10.3 kg; and body fat percentage: 21.9 ± 3.8%). Dietary recall, body composition and urinary osmolarity were assessed pre-race, midway checkpoint and end race. Data were compared on the basis of fast finishers (the Norwegian team (n = 3) who won in a record of 14 days) and slower finishers (the remaining teams (n = 10) reaching the South Pole between 22 and 28 days).
resultsThe percentage contribution of macronutrients to daily energy intake for all participants was as follows: carbohydrate (CHO) = 23.7% (221 ± 82 g.day(-1)), fat = 60.6% (251 ± 127 g.day(-1)) and protein = 15.7% (117 ± 52 g.day(-1)). Energy demands were closer met by faster finishers compared to slower finishers (5,332 ± 469 vs. 3,048 ± 1,140 kcal.day(-1), p = 0.02). Average reduction in body mass throughout the race was 8.3 ± 5.5 kg, with an average loss of lean mass of 2.0 ± 4.1 kg. There was a significant negative correlation between changes in lean mass and protein intake (p = 0.03), and lean mass and energy intake (p = 0.03). End-race urinary osmolarity was significantly elevated for faster finishers compared to slower finishers and control volunteers (faster finishers: 933 ± 157 mOsmol.L(-1); slower finishers: 543 ± 92 mOsmol.L(-1); control: 515 ± 165 mOsmol.L(-1), p = 0.04).
conclusionsThroughout the race, both groups were subjected to a negative change in energy balance which partly explained reduced body mass. Carbohydrate availability was limited inferring a greater reliance on fat and protein metabolism. Consequently, loss in fat-free mass was more prevalent with insufficient protein and caloric intake, which may relate to performance.
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