Bourdier Pierre, Devitt Jessica, Gallon Susan, Zahariev Alexandre, Chery Isabelle, Guzzetti Jacob R, Blanc Stéphane, Simon Chantal, Bergouignan Audrey
Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR7178, Strasbourg, France.
Université de Haute-Alsace, IRIMAS UR7499, Mulhouse, France.
Physiol Rep. 2025 Jul;13(13):e70443. doi: 10.14814/phy2.70443.
Polar expeditions pose a significant challenge, contributing to a substantial energy deficit. However, few data exist on nonprofessional individuals, and none of them have investigated the regulation of energy balance in female participants during an Arctic expedition. Eleven nonathlete female adults who reached the North Pole by ski in full autonomy were studied. Before and the day after the expedition, resting metabolic rate (RMR) was measured by indirect calorimetry, and fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) by bioelectric impedance. Total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) and activity-related energy expenditure (AEE) were assessed with the doubly labeled water (DLW) during the expedition. Before and throughout the expedition, daily physical activity was evaluated using accelerometry and heart rate, while surface skin temperature was measured using an iButton placed on the chest. Additionally, fasting salivary cortisol concentration was measured throughout the expedition as a stress marker. The seven-day trekking was associated with a TDEE of 18.67 [SD 1.72] MJ/d. Body mass decreased by 1.67 (SE 0.42) kg, mostly due to fat mass loss (-1.26 [0.39] kg), indicating a negative energy balance. These findings show that nonathlete females can greatly increase their AEE and, hence TDEE over a short time period. However, their food consumption was insufficient to meet their needs, thus leading to an energy deficit and body mass loss. Future studies should investigate whether this insufficient energy intake was due to a lack of available food or an inability to consume more, thereby deepening our understanding of energy balance regulation in extreme conditions.
极地探险带来了巨大挑战，导致大量能量亏空。然而，关于非专业人员的数据很少，而且没有一项研究调查过北极探险期间女性参与者的能量平衡调节情况。我们对11名完全自主滑雪抵达北极的非运动员成年女性进行了研究。在探险前和探险后的第二天，通过间接测热法测量静息代谢率（RMR），通过生物电阻抗测量脂肪量（FM）和去脂体重（FFM）。在探险期间，使用双标水（DLW）评估每日总能量消耗（TDEE）和与活动相关的能量消耗（AEE）。在探险前和整个探险过程中，使用加速度计和心率评估日常身体活动，同时使用放置在胸部的iButton测量体表皮肤温度。此外，在整个探险过程中测量空腹唾液皮质醇浓度作为应激指标。为期七天的徒步旅行与每日18.67 [标准差1.72] 兆焦耳的TDEE相关。体重下降了1.67（标准误0.42）千克，主要是由于脂肪量减少（-1.26 [0.39] 千克），表明能量平衡为负。这些发现表明，非运动员女性可以在短时间内大幅增加她们的AEE，从而增加TDEE。然而，她们的食物摄入量不足以满足需求，从而导致能量亏空和体重减轻。未来的研究应该调查这种能量摄入不足是由于缺乏可获得的食物还是无法摄入更多食物，从而加深我们对极端条件下能量平衡调节机制的理解。
