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Review
. 2016 Nov 21:5:13.
doi: 10.1186/s13728-016-0054-0. eCollection 2016.

Nutritional implications for ultra-endurance walking and running events

Eric Williamson  1
Affiliations
Review

Nutritional implications for ultra-endurance walking and running events

Eric Williamson. Extrem Physiol Med. .

Abstract

This paper examines the various nutritional challenges which athletes encounter in preparing for and participating in ultra-endurance walking and running events. Special attention is paid to energy level, performance, and recovery within the context of athletes' intake of carbohydrate, protein, fat, and various vitamins and minerals. It outlines, by way of a review of literature, those factors which promote optimal performance for the ultra-endurance athlete and provides recommendations from multiple researchers concerned with the nutrition and performance of ultra-endurance athletes. Despite the availability of some research about the subject, there is a paucity of longitudinal material which examines athletes by nature and type of ultra-endurance event, gender, age, race, and unique physiological characteristics. Optimal nutrition results in a decreased risk of energy depletion, better performance, and quicker full-recovery.

Keywords: Energy; Nutrition; Performance; Training; Ultra-endurance.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Urine color as an indication of hydration status (reproduced with permission from [196])
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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