Estimated aerobic performance and energy cost of severe exercise of 24 h duration

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The maximal aerobic performance (.ovrhdot.VO2 max) and energy cost of running at various speeds of 2 ultra-distance athletes were measured in the laboratory on a motor driven treadmill and the results related to observations made during a 24 h race. The athletes finished 1st and 2nd in the event and covered distances of 254.46 km and 234.56 km, respectively, during the 24 h period. From the measurements in the laboratory, the average speeds sustained by the athletes during the competition were equivalent to an O2 cost of 36.4 ml kg-1 min-1 and 35.3 ml kg-1 min-1 which represented approximately 50% of their .ovrhdot.VO2 max. During the race the winner expended an estimated 77,829 kJ (18,595 kcal) which is 3 times the highest recorded value in the most severe industrial work. By the nature of the activity this figure must be regarded as at or near the upper limit of sustainable energy expenditure by man during a complete uninterrupted 24 h circadian cycle.