Energy Turnover at the Race Across AMerica (RAAM) - a Case Report

Abstract

We report about energy intake and energy expenditure in an official finisher of the Race Across AMerica (RAAM) in 2003. Energy intake from nutrition was continuously recorded. Energy expenditure was measured by continuous heart rate recording with a portable heart rate monitor POLAR S710 to estimate energy expenditure during physical activity. Our athlete (33 years, 179 cm, 73 kg, VO (2)max 60 ml . min (-1) . kg (-1), lactate threshold at 77%VO (2)max) finished the 4701-km cycling race with altitude differences amounting to 25,826 meters in 9 days 16 hours and 45 minutes in 4th place. He completed 470+/-72.9 km (372-541 km) per day with 2,582+/-1,576 (683-5,047) meters of altitude. During the whole race, he expended a total energy of 179,650 kcal with 17,965+/-2165 (15,100 - 23,280) kcal per day. Total energy intake was 96,124 kcal with an average of 9,612+/-1,500 (7,513-12,735) kcal per day. Of total ingested calories, 75.2% derived from carbohydrates, 16.2% from fat, and 8.6% from protein. He ingested an energy of 9,612+/-1,550 (7,513 - 12,735) kcal daily, consisting of 1,814+/-310 (1,336 - 2,354) g of carbohydrates, 172+/-47 (88-251) g of fat, and 207+/-52 (128-286) g of protein. The average daily energy deficiency amounted to 8,352+/-2,523 (4,425-13,631) kcal. A total deficiency of 83,526 kcal resulted after the race while the athlete lost 5 kg of body weight. These results provide data about energy intake and energy expenditure in the RAAM for future athletes, nutritionists and coaches. Further investigation should be performed in order to determine whether either muscle mass or body fat will be lost in extreme endurance cycling.

Short‐term resource allocation during extensive athletic competition

“…Recent work suggests that high levels of energy expenditure cause metabolic adaptation to reduce total energy output (Pontzer et al, 2016), and the high energetic costs of locomotion necessitated by ultramarathons are expected to necessitate physiological trade‐offs. This is due to energy deficit induced by a combination of the high levels of energy expenditure in physiological systems linked to locomotion, and the lack of opportunity to ingest any significant meals (Knechtle & Bircher, 2005; Knechtle, Enggist, & Jehle, 2005). …”

A Comparison of Ultra-Endurance Cyclists in a Qualifying Ultra-Cycling Race for Paris-Brest-Paris and Race across America—Swiss Cycling Marathon

“…Their findings include differences among cyclists and changes in many variables related to the extreme race distances and training regimens, such as in body mass (Bircher, Enggist, Jehle, & Knechtle, 2006;Knechtle, Enggist, & Jehle, 2005;Knechtle, Wirth, Knechtle, & Rosemann, 2009a), intensity and energy turnover (Bircher, et al, 2006;Francescato & Di Prampero, 2002;Knechtle, et al, 2005;Reher, Hellemans, Rolleston, Rush, Miller, 2009;Wirnitzer & Kornexl, 2008), and nutrition (Ebert, Martin, Stephens, McDonald, & Withers, 2007;Martin, Martin, Collier, & Burke, 2002). Other studies have tested associations between race performance measures and anthropometric and training variables (Knechtle & Rosemann, 2009;Knechtle, Knechtle, Rosemann, 2009b;Knechtle, Wirth, Knechtle, & Rosemann, 2009c).…”

No Correlation of Skin-Fold Thickness with Race Performance in Male Recreational Mountain Bike Ultra-Marathoners

“…In these ultra-endurance cycling races, a considerably lower body mass can be found post race (1,2) as already stated in shorter ultra-cycling races (3,4). In two case reports (1,2) and two field studies (3,4), anthropometric data of age, body mass, body height and body mass index of the cyclist including the loss in body mass were described.…”

“…In two case reports (1,2) and two field studies (3,4), anthropometric data of age, body mass, body height and body mass index of the cyclist including the loss in body mass were described. In the two case studies, the athletes were riding for several days and lost considerably more body mass in the form of body fat (1,2) than the cyclists in the two ultra-cycling races of less than one and a half days (3,4). Presumably long training rides would lead to slim and light bodies so probably training volume may also be an influencing factor regarding both body anthropometry and body fat.…”