Starvation resulting from inadequate dietary planning for a 50-day rowing expedition

Reid, H. A.B., Dennison, N. C., Quayle, J. and Preston, T. (2017) Starvation resulting from inadequate dietary planning for a 50-day rowing expedition. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 12(8), pp. 1012-1016. (doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2016-0349) (PMID:27967263)

Abstract

Meeting the energy demands of prolonged arduous expeditions and endurance sport may be a significant barrier to success. Expedition rowing is associated with high levels of body-mass loss, reflecting the challenge of meeting energy expenditure in this exacting environment. Purpose: To use the doubly labeled water (DLW) technique to calculate the total energy expenditure (TEE) and body-composition changes of two 28-y-old healthy male athletes during a 50-d continuous and unsupported row around Great Britain. Methods: A measured dose of DLW was taken at the start of 2 separate study periods (days 5–19 and 34–48) followed by sequential urine collection, which was analyzed on return to land. Results: Mean TEE was 15.3 MJ/d: athlete 1, 16.4 MJ/d; athlete 2, 14.9 MJ/d. Athlete 1 lost 11.2 kg and athlete 2 lost 14.9 kg of body mass during the row. Average energy provision was 19.1 MJ per 24-h ration pack. Conclusions: These results highlight the difficulty of maintaining energy balance during expedition rowing. A starvation state was observed despite dietary provision in excess of estimated energy expenditure, indicating that nutritional strategy rather than caloric availability was at fault. The authors recommend that future expeditions prioritize thorough testing and the individualization of rations to ensure that they are both palatable and practical during the weeks to months at sea.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Preston, Professor Tom
• Authors: Reid, H. A.B., Dennison, N. C., Quayle, J., and Preston, T.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
• Journal Name: International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance
• Publisher: Human Kinetics
• ISSN: 1555-0265
• ISSN (Online): 1555-0273