Energy, macronutrient and water intake during a mountain ultramarathon event: The influence of distance

Abstract

Adequate dietary strategies are essential for the successful participation in ultra-endurance races. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the energy and water intakes of participants during three different mountain ultra-endurance runs. The study took place at the "Ultra Mallorca Serra de Tramuntana" (Mallorca, Spain), an ultra-endurance mountain event with runners participating either in a 44-km (Marathon, n = 51), a 67-km (Trail, n = 109) or a 112-km (Ultra, n = 53) run competition. Participants in the study answered a questionnaire focused on the nutritional intake within an hour after finishing the competition. Mean energy intake during the competitions was 183 kcal · h, with an average carbohydrate intake of 31 g · h (52.1% of participants consumed less than 30 g · h). No significant differences between competitions were found in these parameters. However, a higher percentage of energy from lipids in participants in the Trail and the Ultra was found (P = 0.034). Furthermore, significant differences were observed in water intake per hour of competition (P = 0.039), with the lowest value for the intake during the Ultra competition. In conclusion, the majority of the participants in the study present low carbohydrate intakes. However, fluid intake seems to be adequate. Different distances did not significantly influence the participants' nutritional strategies.

Review of the Food Guidelines in Continuous Ultramarathon

“…The percentages of the intakes include a minimum of 72.2% [35,38] and a maximum between 98.4-100% [35]. These percentages in the composition of the diet were similar in several articles [23,26,31].…”

“…To compare the average number of calories consumed in the article of [35] with other UM continuous these were similar (4.6 kcal/kg/h) with respect to the de [31,23] (3.3 kcal/kg/h and 4.0 kcal/kg/h). The differences appear on the UM in laboratory [38] with lower values (3.1 kcal/kg/h) or with regard to article [25] with higher values (7.8 kcal/kg/HR) to [35]. …”

“…The analysis determined that the greatest number corresponds to [23] with 189 quotations in total, followed by [29] and [23,31] with 139 and 126, respectively. Minor mention were [2,11,36] and those who did not have were [37,38] (the latter due to his recent publication). These results have shown that the most relevant scientific works are [23,29,31].…”

“…Some runners showed a better tolerance to solid foods, compared to athletes who trained at greater intensity and shorter distances [23]. Several articles [22,23,26,35,38,39] highlight the preponderance of solid foods. Others preferred a sports drink [33,27].…”

“…Others preferred a sports drink [33,27]. The type of intake during workouts, was characterized by small volumes at higher frequency, in some studies was kept such a pattern [38].…”