Taylor N, Gifford RM, Cobb R, Wardle SL, Jones S, Blackadder-Weinstein J, Hattersley J, Wilson A, Imray C, Greeves JP, Reynolds R, Woods DR. Experience from the selection and nutritional preparation for Expedition ICE MAIDEN: the first successful all-female unassisted Antarctic traverse.
BMJ Mil Health 2019;
167:27-32. [PMID:
31097481 DOI:
10.1136/jramc-2019-001175]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Revised: 04/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Expedition ICE MAIDEN (Ex IM) was the first all-female unsupported crossing of Antarctica. We describe the prerequisite selection and training, comparing those who formed the final team with other participants, and discuss how the expedition diet was established.
METHODS
All women serving in the British Army were invited to participate. Following initial assessments, successful women completed three training/selection ski expeditions. Between expeditions 1 and 2, participants completed 6 months rigorous UK-based training. Weight was measured before and after the 6 months UK-based training, expeditions 2 and 3, and body composition by skinfold before and after expedition 2. Participant feedback, body composition and weight changes were applied to modify the expedition diet and provide weight gain targets prior to Ex IM.
RESULTS
Following 250 applications, 50 women were assessed and 22, 12 and seven women attended training expeditions 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The final team of six women lost more weight than other participants during UK-based training (mean (SD) change -1.3 (1.5) kg vs -0.5 (1.6) kg, respectively, p=0.046) and during training expedition 2 (-2.8 (0.8) kg vs -1.7 (0.4) kg, respectively, p=0.048), when they also gained more lean mass (+2.1 (0.8) kg vs +0.4 (0.7) kg, respectively, p=0.004). The Ex IM diet provided 5000 kCal/day, comprising approximately 45% carbohydrate, 45% fat and 10% protein. Median (range) weight change between expedition 3 and Ex IM was +8.7 (-1.9 to +14.3) kg.
CONCLUSIONS
The selected Ex IM team demonstrated favourable training-associated body composition changes. Training-associated weight loss informed the expeditionary diet design.
Collapse