Correction to: Analysis of food and fluid intake in elite ultra-endurance runners during a 24-h world championship

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

Fluctuations in Food and Fluid Intake During a 24-h World Championship: Analysis of the Deviation From Nutritional Programs

BackgroundA food and fluid intake program is essential for ultra-endurance athletes to maximize performance and avoid possible gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS). However, the ability to respect such a program during a race has been under-assessed. We thus investigated the kinetics of food and fluid intake during the 24-h run World Championship of 12 elite athletes (6 men and 6 women; age: 46 ± 7 years, height: 170 ± 9 cm, weight: 61.1 ± 9.6 kg, total distance run: 193–272 km) and assessed their ability to follow their nutritional program.MethodsReal-time overall intake (fluids, energy, and macronutrients) were recorded and compared to that of their program. The temporal difference in absolute values and degree of divergence from their program were assessed divided into four 6-h periods. GIS were recorded during the race. A questionnaire identifying the details of their nutritional program and the self-assessed causes of their inability to follow it was completed by the participants. ResultsWater, total fluid, carbohydrate (CHO), and energy intake decreased during the last quarter of the 24-h ultramarathon relative to the first half (p < 0.031). However, the differences were no longer significant after these values were normalized by the number of passages in front of the supply tent. The participants increasingly diverged from their nutritional program (dropping to approximately 50% of their expected fluid, CHO, and energy intake during the last quarter) but this was adequately compensated with unplanned foods to match their expected targets. GIS, lack of appeal of the planned items, and attractivity of unplanned items were the main explanations given for their deviation from the program (64, 27, and 27%, respectively). ConclusionDespite evident difficulty in respecting their nutritional programs (mostly attributed to GIS), elite ultra-endurance runners managed to maintain high rates of fluid and food intake during a 24-h ultramarathon and therefore still met their planned elevated nutritional objectives.

Exercise-Associated Hyponatremia during the Olympus Marathon Ultra-Endurance Trail Run

Research on hyponatremia during mountain marathons is scarce. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of exercise-associated hyponatremia during a 44-km trail running race that reached an altitude of 2780 m (Olympus Marathon). Sixty-two runners (five women) who completed the race participated in the study (age: 34.4 ± 8.6 years; height: 1.77 ± 0.06 m; and weight: 75.3 ± 10.0 kg). Anthropometric characteristics, blood, and urine samples were collected pre- and post-race. Food and fluid intake were recorded at each checkpoint. Due to race regulations, the runners could not carry any additional food and fluids besides the ones provided at specific checkpoints. Five runners (8%) exhibited asymptomatic hyponatremia (serum sodium <135 mmol∙L−1). Serum sodium in the hyponatremic runners decreased from 138.4 ± 0.9 (pre) to 131.4 ± 5.0 mmol∙L−1 (post), p < 0.05. Plasma osmolality increased only in the eunatremic runners (pre: 290 ± 3; post: 295 ± 6 mmol∙kg−1; p < 0.05). Plasma volume decreased more in the hyponatremic compared to eunatremic runners (−4.4 ± 2.0 vs. −3.2 ± 1.4%, p < 0.05). Lastly, dietary sodium intake was lower in the hyponatremic runners compared to eunatremic (789 ± 813 vs. 906 ± 672 mg; p < 0.05). The incidence of hyponatremia among the athletes was relatively low, possibly due to race conditions.

The Influence of Heat Acclimation and Hypohydration on Post-Weight-Loss Exercise Performance

Purpose: To examine the influence of fluid intake on heat acclimation and the subsequent effects on exercise performance following acute hypohydration. Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups, either able to consume water ad libitum (n = 10; age 23 [3] y, height 1.81 [0.09] m, body mass 87 [13] kg; HAW) or not allowed fluid (n = 10; age 26 [5] y, height 1.76 [0.05] m, body mass 79 [10] kg; HANW) throughout 12 × 1.5-h passive heat-acclimation sessions. Experimental trials were completed on 2 occasions before (2 baseline trials) and 1 following the heat-acclimation sessions. These sessions involved 3 h of passive heating (45°C, 38% relative humidity) to induce hypohydration followed by 3 h of ad libitum food and fluid intake after which participants performed a repeat sled-push test to assess physical performance. Urine and blood samples were collected before, immediately, and 3 h following hypohydration to assess hydration status. Mood was also assessed at the same time points. Results: No meaningful differences in physiological or performance variables were observed between HANW and HAW at any time point. Using pooled data, mean sprint speed was significantly (P < .001) faster following heat acclimation (4.6 [0.7] s compared with 5.1 [0.8] s). Furthermore, heat acclimation appeared to improve mood following hypohydration. Conclusions: Results suggest that passive heat-acclimation protocols may be effective at improving short-duration repeat-effort performance following acute hypohydration.

Validity of a Food and Fluid Exercise Questionnaire for Macronutrient Intake during Exercise against Observations

Information about the accuracy of self-reported food and fluid intake during competitions is scarce. The objective of this study was to validate a previously developed food and fluid exercise questionnaire (FFEQ) against direct observations made during competitions in athletes. Fifty-eight recreational endurance athletes participating in four different running events and one cross duathlon in the Netherlands between 2015 and 2017 were recruited. The FFEQ overestimated the median energy and carbohydrate intake by 27.6 kcal/h (20.6%) and 9.25 g/h (30.8%) (p < 0.001), respectively, compared to direct observation. Reporting bias (i.e., correlation between the difference between methods and average of both methods) increased with a higher energy (r: 0.41, p < 0.01) and carbohydrate intake (r: 0.44, p < 0.01). No statistically significant difference was found between FFEQ-reported fluid intake per hour and observations (median difference: −2.93 mL, −1.1%; p = 0.48) and no fluid reporting bias was identified (r: 0.23, p = 0.08). FFEQ-reported energy (r: 0.74), carbohydrate (r: 0.74), and fluid (r: 0.85) intake was strongly correlated with the observed intake (all p-values < 0.001). In conclusion, the FFEQ accurately estimates the fluid intake on a group level during competitions in recreational athletes. Even though FFEQ overestimates the energy and carbohydrate intake, it is still a useful tool for ranking individuals based on their intake.

Gastrointestinal Complaints and Correlations with Self-Reported Macronutrient Intake in Independent Groups of (Ultra)Marathon Runners Competing at Different Distances

This study investigated the differences in gastrointestinal (GI) and exercise related complaints between groups of runners competing at different distances using web-based questionnaires. Total (severe) complaints were reported by 89.3% (49.7%) of the runners during the race vs. 70.6% (29.4%) after the race. Significant differences between groups were described for marathon (n = 98) and 60 km (n = 43) runners. During competition, runners reported the urge to urinate (47.7%), muscle cramps (43.6%) and belching (43.6%). The prevalence of bloating, flatulence, side ache and dizziness differed between distances (p < 0.02). There were small to moderate negative correlations between food and fluid intake and GI complaints. After competition (12 h), 70.6% of participants reported complaints, with muscle cramps (47.6%), flatulence (19.0%) and bloating (12.7%) being the most prevalent. Prevalence of belching, nausea, stomach cramps and muscle cramps differed between race distances (p < 0.04). There were small to high positive correlations between complaints during and after competition (p < 0.05). In conclusion, runners of all distances reported a high prevalence of GI and other exercise related complaints. There were some small differences in reporting type and severity of complaints between distances. Results showed small to strong correlations between complaints during and after competition and with nutrient intake, without a clear similar pattern for all distances.

Identifikasi status gizi, somatotipe, asupan makan dan cairan pada atlet atletik remaja di Indonesia

Athletes’ nutrition status, somatotype, and adequate dietary intake are strongly related to their sport performance. Examining those markers in adolescent age is essential in order to develop the optimum physical characteristics for the future. This study was conducted to identify the nutrition status based on anthropometry value, somatotype, food and fluid intake of youth athletic athletes in Indonesia. Descriptive quantitative design was used in this study. Subjects participated in the study were 25 youth athletic athletes from Students Education and Training Program (Program Pembinaan dan Pelatihan Pelajar) in Yogyakarta and Aceh, and School of Sports (Sekolah Keolahragaan) Ragunan, Jakarta Selatan. Anthropometry measurement consists of body weight, height, body fat percentage, and somatotype. Nutrition status was identified according to BMI/age and height/age. Food and fluid intake were assessed using 24-hour dietary recall interview and semi quantitative fluid frequency questionnaire. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed and the result was presented in mean and deviation standard. BMI/age values in male and female athletes were -2 SD ≤ Z ≥ +1 SD (normal) and +1 SD ≤ Z ≥ +2 SD (overweight), respectively. Height/age value for both gender was normal in -2 SD ≤ Z ≥ +2 SD. Percentage of body fat ranged in 12-16% for males and 18-28% for females. Somatotype category for males was ectomorphic mesomorph (2.3-5.0-3.3) and endomorphic mesomorph (4.4-5.6-2.0) for females. Fulfillment of energy and carbohydrate was found inadequate (< 80%), whereas fat intake was found excess (> 110%). Total fluid intake was ranged from 2700 ml to 5800 ml per day. Overweight nutrition status was still found in female athletes. Ideal somatotype was found only in male athletes. Excessive percentage of body fat was detected in both gender. Total energy, macro nutrients, micro nutrients, and fluid intake were inadequate compared to dietary recommendation.

Seasonal differences in rhythmicity of salivary cortisol in healthy adults

The existence of seasonal changes in secretion of stress hormones and inflammatory mediators by humans is not certain. Here, we aimed to determine whether concentrations of cortisol and IL-6 displayed seasonal rhythmicity. The study was performed in Poznań, Poland (52°N, 16°E) in 7 healthy female volunteers (age 22.6 ± 0.8 yr). Samples of whole mixed unstimulated saliva were collected in winter (February) and summer (June) at 2-h intervals over a 24-h period and analyzed for cortisol and IL-6 by immunoassays. During each season, the subjects answered questionnaires related to their sleeping habits, food intake, physical activity, and perceived seasonality. It turned out that salivary concentrations of cortisol followed a daily rhythm both in winter and summer, as determined by a cosine analysis. However, compared with the winter season, a midline-estimating statistic of rhythm in the summer was significantly higher. Moreover, the rhythm acrophase occurred ~4 h later in the summer than in the winter, whereas the amplitudes did not differ. These fluctuations did not correspond to sleeping habits, food and fluid intake, physical exercise, and the self-assessed chronotype. However, the individuals with higher scores on the seasonal affective disorder scale showed a tendency toward lower relative cortisol amplitude in the summer. In contrast to cortisol, salivary IL-6 concentration did not display daily rhythmicity, and its concentrations did not differ significantly between the seasons. In conclusion, in the summer, cortisol level in saliva is elevated, and its circadian pattern of secretion is shifted. The causes for these alterations do not seem to be related to lifestyle and thus remain to be established.