Maximal sustainable energy intake during transatlantic ocean rowing is insufficient for total energy expenditure and skeletal muscle mass maintenance

• Published in: Experimental physiology Vol. 109; no. 2; pp. 227 - 239
• Main Authors: Holsgrove‐West, Rosalind K., Revuelta Iniesta, Raquel, Abdelrahman, Doaa R., Murton, Andrew J., Wall, Benjamin T., Stephens, Francis B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.02.2024; John Wiley and Sons Inc; Wiley
• Subjects: Adult; Age; Aged; atrophy; Basal Metabolism - physiology; Body Composition - physiology; Body mass; doubly labelled water; Energy; Energy expenditure; energy expenditure endurance; Energy intake; Energy Intake - physiology; Energy Metabolism - physiology; Female; Females; Gender differences; Humans; Male; Males; Metabolic rate; Metabolism; Middle Aged; muscle maintenance; Muscle, Skeletal; ocean rowing; Oceans and Seas; Rowing; Sex differences; Skeletal muscle; Whisky; Young Adult; energy intake; atrophy; energy expenditure endurance; muscle maintenance; doubly labelled water; ocean rowing
• ISSN: 0958-0670; 1469-445X
• DOI: 10.1113/EP091319

Studies of extreme endurance have suggested that there is an alimentary limit to energy intake (EI) of ∼2.5 × resting metabolic rate (RMR). To gain further insight, this study aimed to simultaneously measure EI, total energy expenditure (TEE) body mass and muscle mass in a large cohort of males and females of varying ages during a transatlantic rowing race. Forty‐nine competitors (m = 32, f = 17; age 24–67 years; time at sea 46 ± 7 days) in the 2020 and 2021 Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge rowed 12–18 hday−1 for ∼3000 miles. TEE was assessed in the final week of the row using 2H218O doubly labelled water, and EI was analysed from daily ration packs over this period. Thickness of relatively active (vastus lateralis, intermedius, biceps brachaii and rectus abdominus) and inactive (gastrocnemius, soleus and triceps) muscles was measured pre (<7 days) and post (<24 h) row using ultrasound. Body mass was measured and used to calculate RMR from standard equations. There were no sex differences in males and females in EI (2.5 ± 0.5 and 2.3 ± 0.4 × RMR, respectively, P = 0.3050), TEE (2.5 ± 1.0 and 2.3 ± 0.4 × RMR, respectively, P = 0.5170), or body mass loss (10.2 ± 3.1% and 10.0 ± 3.0%, respectively, P = 0.8520), and no effect of age on EI (P = 0.5450) or TEE (P = 0.9344). Muscle loss occurred exclusively in the calf (15.7% ± 11.4% P < 0.0001), whilst other muscles remained unchanged. After 46 days of prolonged ultra‐endurance ocean rowing incurring 10% body mass loss, maximal sustainable EI of ∼2.5 × RMR was unable to meet total TEE suggesting that there is indeed a physiological capacity to EI. What is the central question of this study? During a prolonged endurance transatlantic ocean rowing race over ∼46 days, what changes occur in energy intake (EI), total energy expenditure (TEE) and body mass and are there differences between males and females or an effect of age? What is the main finding and its importance? During a ∼46 days, there appeared to be a maximal sustainable EI of ∼2.5 × resting metabolic rate (RMR), matching TEE of 2.5 × RMR, incurring a 10% body mass loss There were no sex differences, and minimal influence of age.