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Abstract:
The aim of this study was to analyze nutritional behavior of recreational ski mountaineers participating at Patrouille des Glaciers (PDG) the largest ski-mountaineering race of the Alps. To analyze nutritional habits of participants thirteen male Ski mountaineers absolving the Parcours Zermatt-Arolla-Verbier (average race time: 13 hour 18 min +- 66 min) and five male Ski mountaineers absolving the Parcours Arolla-Verbier (average race time: 6 hour 32 min +- 30 min) were asked via semi-quantitative questionnaire concerning their nutritional and fluid intake. Total average intake of fluid was 5.6 +- 4.8 liter for Zermatt-Arolla-Verbier and 3.8 +- 2.4 liter for Arolla-Verbier (p = 0.24). Total energy intake was 5500 +- 2145 kcal for Zermatt-Arolla-Verbier and 5000 +- 4327 kcal for Arolla-Verbier (p = 0.55). All participants consumed warm tea, while isotonic sport drinks were consumed by less than one fourth of the participants, only one person consumed bouillon with the potential of high salt intake. 84% ate dried fruits and chocolate was eaten by 62% of analyzed ski-mountaineers. The relatively low fluid intake might be a result of the fact that participants were quite well hydrated in the start not drinking a lot during the first three to four hours of the race during the night in the cold. Maybe the constant usage of an isotonic carbohydrates-electrolyte beverage could help to reduce energy and fluid deficit during the race helping to improve overall performance.
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