Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Search research articles

Related Experiment Videos

[Changes in body composition during an extreme endurance run].

B Knechtle¹, S Bircher

¹Thurgauer Klinik St Katharinental, Diessenhofen.

|March 30, 2005

Summary

This study tracked one athlete during a six-day run, finding that body weight remained stable despite increased nutrient intake. Subcutaneous adipose tissue and muscle mass significantly decreased, suggesting oxidation during eccentric exercise.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Retraction Note: Performance improvement in sport through vitamin D - a narrative review.

European review for medical and pharmacological sciences·2025

Same author

Psychological aspects of the longest, solo, unsupported one-way polar ski expedition in Antarctica by a female adventurer.

BMJ military health·2024

Same author

Metabolic control level and glucose variability in adolescents with type 1 diabetes during low and high-intensity exercise.

European review for medical and pharmacological sciences·2024

Same author

Effects of moderate- vs. high-intensity interval training on physical fitness, enjoyment, and affective valence in overweight/obese female adolescents: a pre-/post-test study.

European review for medical and pharmacological sciences·2023

Same author

Skinfold thickness variation and associations with cardiorespiratory fitness in male soccer players of different ages.

European review for medical and pharmacological sciences·2023

Same author

Swimming during COVID-19: Operational recommendations and considerations for South African swimming venues.

South African journal of sports medicine·2023

Area of Science:

Sports Medicine
Human Physiology
Exercise Science

Context:

Understanding the physiological adaptations to prolonged endurance events is crucial for athlete performance and health.
Six-day running races represent an extreme test of human endurance, pushing physiological limits.

Purpose:

To investigate changes in body composition, energy expenditure, and nutritional intake during a six-day running race in a single athlete.
To explore the potential oxidation of subcutaneous adipose tissue and muscle mass during prolonged eccentric exercise.

Summary:

Body weight, skinfold thickness, extremity circumference, energy expenditure, and nutritional intake were measured before, during, and after a six-day run.
Despite increased fat and protein intake, a significant decrease in whole-body subcutaneous adipose tissue and active limb muscle mass was observed.
The athlete's body weight remained stable throughout the event.

Impact:

The findings suggest that prolonged running, characterized by eccentric muscle contractions, may lead to the oxidation of both adipose tissue and muscle mass.
This research contributes to the understanding of metabolic and body composition changes during ultra-endurance events.
Provides insights into the physiological demands and adaptive responses to extreme exercise durations.

Related Experiment Videos