Abstract
Mountain running is a non-Olympic sport consisting of uphill or up- and downhill races at moderate-to-high altitude. Special nutritional requirements are anticipated, but no nutritional data of mountain runners are available. In three studies, physique of elite and recreational athletes (N = 62), maximum oxygen uptake (N = 3), and prerace and race day dietary intake (N = 6) were measured (mean ± SD). Mean oxygen uptake was 68.7 ± 5.2 mL/kg/min. Energy and carbohydrate intake before a race (29 ± 15 km, 1596 ± 556 m HD) was 3199 ± 701 kcal/d (13.4 ± 2.9 MJ/d) and 497 ± 128 g/d (8.3 ± 1.8 g/kg/d) in German national team members. Fluid intake was calculated as 2783 ± 1543 mL/d. During the race, athletes consumed 336 ± 364 kcal and 927 ± 705 mL of fluids. Substrate intake per hour was calculated as 23 ± 22 g of carbohydrates and 4.0 ± 3.2 g of proteins. In conclusion, anthropometric and oxygen uptake characteristics of mountain runners were similar to those reported for elite distance runners. Carbohydrate intake before and during the race was below recommendations for endurance athletes. This is of concern when considering the increased reliance on carbohydrates at altitude.
Highlights
Mountain running is a non-Olympic track and field sport
The racetracks are of natural origin and are not artificially constructed, there are some course requirements stated by the WMRA
Body height was 1.76 ± 0.07 m, and body weight was measured as 65.3 ± 8.8 kg
Summary
Mountain running is a non-Olympic track and field sport. Under the auspices of the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) and the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA, association under IAAF patronage), international championships in Africa, Europe, North America, Central America, and South America are conducted.There are two main types of mountain running competitions: uphill races and up- and downhill events. Mountain running is a non-Olympic track and field sport. Under the auspices of the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) and the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA, association under IAAF patronage), international championships in Africa, Europe, North America, Central America, and South America are conducted. There are two main types of mountain running competitions: uphill races and up- and downhill events. The racetracks are of natural origin and are not artificially constructed, there are some course requirements stated by the WMRA. The length of the uphill tracks should approximate 8 km with an ascent of 800 m for females or 12 km with an ascent of 1200 m for males (10% ascent in average for both genders). The up- and downhill courses approximate a length of 8 km for females and 12 km for males, with ascents/descents of 500 m and 750 m, respectively
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