European journal of applied physiologyJul 6, 2014

Energy use during extreme competitive mountain skiing

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Updated Apr 1, 2026

Abstract

Participants in the ski mountaineering race expended 19.2 ± 3.2 MJ on course Z and 22.6 ± 2.9 MJ on course A.

Race time averaged 5 hours 7 minutes for course Z and 5 hours 51 minutes for course A.
Energy deficit was -15.5 ± 3.9 MJ for course A, with intake covering only 20 ± 7% of needs.
The overall energy cost of locomotion was 9.9 ± 1.3 J m(-1) kg(-1) for course Z and 8.0 ± 1.0 J m(-1) kg(-1) for course A.
Uphill energy costs were significantly higher at 11.7 ± 1 J m(-1) kg(-1) for course Z and 15.7 ± 2.3 J m(-1) kg(-1) for course A.
Participants in race A experienced an average weight loss of -1.5 ± 1.1 kg, indicating near euhydration.

Simplified

PURPOSE: Multi-hour ski mountaineering energy balance may be negative and intake below recommendations.

METHODS: Athletes on the 'Patrouille des Glaciers' racecourses (17 on course Z, 27 km, +2,113 m; 11 on course A, 26 km, +1,881 m) volunteered. Pre-race measurements included body mass, stature, VO2max, and heart rate (HR) vs VO2 at simulated altitude; race measurements HR, altitude, incline, location, and food and drink intake (A). Energy expenditure (EE) was calculated from altitude corrected HR derived VO2.

RESULTS: Race time was 5 h 7 min ± 44 min (mean ± SD, Z) and 5 h 51 min ± 53 min (A). Subjects spent 19.2 ± 3.2 MJ (Z), respectively, 22.6 ± 2.9 MJ (A) during the race. Energy deficit was -15.5 ± 3.9 MJ (A); intake covered 20 ± 7 % (A). Overall energy cost of locomotion (EC) was 9.9 ± 1.3 J m(-1) kg(-1) (Z), 8.0 ± 1.0 J m(-1) kg(-1) (A). Uphill EC was 11.7 ± 1 J m(-1) kg(-1) (Z, 13 % slope) and 15.7 ± 2.3 J m(-1) kg(-1) (A, 19 % slope). Race A subjects lost -1.5 ± 1.1 kg, indicating near euhydration. Age, body mass, gear mass, VO2max and EC were significantly correlated with performance; energy deficit was not.

CONCLUSIONS: Energy expenditure and energy deficit of a multi-hour ski mountaineering race are very high and energy intake is below recommendations.

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Energy use during extreme competitive mountain skiing

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