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

Abstract

[eng] 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 were 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.