Effects of a 3-month endurance event on physical performance and body composition: the G2 trans-Greenland expedition

Prolonged physical exertion with inadequate time for recuperation may result in an overtraining phenomenon characterized by reduced physical strength and endurance capacity. We tested the hypothesis that highly motivated men pushed to the limits of their endurance capacity for 3 months would suffer physical breakdown characterized by loss of lean mass and reduced physical performance capacity.

Two well-trained men (VO2max > 60 mL/kg/min), aged 25 years, completed an unsupported, 2928-km, south-to-north ski trek across Greenland in 86 days. The trek involved ski marching, typically for 9 h/d, pulling sleds initially containing 150 kg and a high-fat (60%) energy-dense diet of 25.1 MJ/d. Body composition and physical performance data were collected 14 days before and 4 days after the trek.

Energy expenditure based on doubly labeled water during three 2-week periods ranged from 28.3 and 34.6 MJ/d in rugged terrain to 14.6 and 16.1 MJ/d during travel on flat terrain for subjects 1 and 2, respectively. Both men lost weight, completing the trek with low-normal fat stores (approximately 13% body fat). The lighter man gained 0.6 kg lean mass, while the heavier man lost 1.4 kg lean mass and a larger amount of fat weight (7.0 kg). Most performance measures showed trivial changes within the errors of measurement and test reproducibility, indicating no loss of endurance capacity, but anaerobic tests (Wingate and vertical jump) were markedly reduced. Markers of metabolic status, including oral glucose tolerance tests, indicated no functional impairments.

Although the number of subjects was limited, this observational study demonstrated that well-trained and experienced long-distance ski trekkers who eat an adequate high-calorie diet can perform endurance treks in severe cold, with little or no loss of lean mass and physical capability.