Nutrition

There is very little scientific research that has been undertaken on the nutritional demands of expeditions in the polar regions and almost none on the nutritional needs of athletes competing in this environment. Therefore, the 2012 Centenary South Pole Race presented a unique opportunity to increase understanding of nutritional intake and needs both prior to and during the event, as well as during athlete recovery in the weeks following the race.

- Field Research

Scott Paulin of the University of Hertfordshire School of Sport and Exercise Science undertook a ‘profiling’ research project of active competitors 8 weeks prior to the Centenary South Pole Race, during the race itself and for 4-8 weeks post race, collecting both physiological and nutritional data. He will now continue to analyse the data for the next year to examine the relationship between pre-event nutrient intake, nutrient timing and event performance. This work will form the basis of his MSc. He hopes to gain an increased understanding of nutritional trends and needs over multi-day activities which will have a variety of applications ranging from team sports, repeated training sessions and ultra-endurance events.

Scott is currently working hard to collate this data. Once it is available it will be viewable on this page.

Aims of his research:

1.     To assess dietary and supplemental intake trends in UK based athletes preparing for the 2012 South Pole Challenge.

2.     To profile nutritional intake of elite versus amateur athletes taking part in the 2012 South Pole Challenge. To assess differences in macronutrient and electrolyte status of athletes during the race.

3.     To understand possible relationships between dietary, fluid and electrolyte intake, gastrointestinal distress and alterations in mental status during the race.

4.     To compare acute post race nutritional intake in UK based athletes (undertaking the race) with recovery parameters.

Please visit the University of Hertfordshire website