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Coventry University and 2010 Al Andalus Ultra Trail Research Collaboration

Nutrition and Hydration Assessment during a Multi-Stage Ultra-Marathon.

Appropriate nutrition is essential for optimal exercise performance on consecutive days during ultra-marathon competition. Recent observations and anecdotal evidence suggests that ultra-marathon runners may possibly not be meeting their energy and nutrient requirements, and are not optimally hydrated during such events. Additionally, mixed information from media sources, and appetite/thirst changes that occur during competition in the heat may further influence the type and amount of food and drink selected, contributing to runners not meeting their nutritional and hydration needs.

In the 2010 edition of the Al Andalus Ultra Trail, Coventry University will be conducting a research project looking into nutrition and hydration status of ultra-marathon runners during an ultra-marathon competition. Your participation would be valuable.

The research participation is very non invasive and will only require you to be weighed, provide a urine sample and be interviewed for 5-10mins every evening by the very delightful and sympathetic Coventry University research team.

A typical day of nutritional and hydration measures will consist: a) provide a urine sample in the morning, and be quickly weighed prior to the start of the stage; b) be quickly weighed immediately after finishing the stage; c) provide a urine sample in the evening, and be interview (a small chat) for 5-10min in the evening. All information used will be analysed and individual feedback will be given to athletes who participate, regarding their nutrition and hydration status during the race, and provide individualised information on how to improve nutrition and hydration strategies for future ultra-marathons.

For those runners who would like to get further technical information about their metabolic rate and internal hydration changes during competition, the research team can also conduct BIA (bioelectric impedance analysis) in the morning prior to the start of the stage and in the evening. Additionally, runner may wear a specialised heart rate monitor during the entire 5 stages, which will provide detailed information regarding metabolic and physiological changes.

The research team will be at registration and the race brief to further explain the research project and answer any questions.

Entry dates :

One or two entrants are thinking the date we set for paying deposits is a closing date for the race, it isn’t, it was purely to give those entering a chance to pay in stages.The closing date as such is the 11th of May so anyone wondering about entering you still have a chance but remember the field will be limited to 100.

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