Abstract des Autors

The Marathon des Sables is an ultra-endurance foot race across the Sahara Desert. The event lasts 6 days and competitors are susceptible to a variety of specific injuries, including dehydration, heat stress and ultimately poor performance. This study involved the monitoring of a highly trained 42-year-old male competitor through a 6-month training program and immediately after the event. The monitoring sessions assessed maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), pulmonary function, anthropometric characteristics, body composition, resting metabolic rate, training and nutritional status. The subject also completed a period of acclimation during the taper phase of the training program in an environment chamber. The last pre-race VO2max of 4.5l/min showed a decrease of 0.5l/min. The subject's diet successfully maintained body weight during the training period and the subject's weight increased from 67.7 kg at 12.2% body fat to 71 kg at 13.2% body fat during the taper. The subject sustained no chronic injuries during the training or race periods. Verf.-Referat