“Thinner…”
Published on 10.05.2010 - Catlin Arctic Survey - 2
How about pushing his body to the limits ? HQ of Catlin Arctic Survey has the answers.
Excerpts from their last communiqué :
"Polar travel has been described 'as an exercise in controlled starvation'. Each member of the Explorer Team is pushing their bodies to their physiological limits. A combination of the extreme temperatures, huge sledge weights and the smashed up and chaotic terrain of the Arctic Ocean mean that Martin, Ann and Charlie have been working on a calorific deficit of about 4000 calories per day for the last 58 days. They are consuming about 6000 calories per day but expending anywhere up to 12000 calories.
"The team could each lose up to 10% of their body-weight, and their fat levels will drop to practically nil.
Martin, Ann and Charlie's bodies will be in a 'catabolic' state, meaning that their bodies are effectively eating themselves to produce energy. Loss of strength and stamina are indicative of this process.
Charlie commented today that although their sledges are getting lighter, their bodies are getting weaker and their bones are protruding to such an extent that sleeping is becoming uncomfortable.
"Medical Consultant to the Catlin Arctic Survey, Dr Martin Rhodes, was keen to point out that 'significant physiological changes are inevitable and expected on a long polar expedition and that although it will take months for their bodies to recover, no permanent damage will be done."
