The Temporal Effects of Altitude and Low Energy Availability Manipulation on Resting Metabolic Rate in Female Race Walkers

Kuikman, Megan A., McKay, Alannah K. A., McCormick, Rachel, Tee, Nicolin, Vallance, Brent, Ackerman, Kathryn E., Harris, Rachel, Elliott-Sale, Kirsty J ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1122-5099, Stellingwerff, Trent and Burke, Louise M. (2025) The Temporal Effects of Altitude and Low Energy Availability Manipulation on Resting Metabolic Rate in Female Race Walkers. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 57 (1). pp. 123-133. ISSN 0195-9131

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Abstract

Purpose To investigate the temporal effects of ~1,800 m altitude exposure and energy availability (EA) manipulation on resting metabolic rate (RMR). Methods Twenty elite female race walkers underwent a 3-week training camp at an altitude of ~1,800 m. During the first two weeks, athletes consumed a high EA (HEA) diet of 45 kcal·kg fat free mass (FFM)-1·day-1. During the final week, half the athletes consumed a low EA (LEA) diet of 15 kcal·kg FFM-1·day-1 while the others continued on a HEA diet. Athletes followed individualized training plans throughout the study. To assess the effect of altitude on RMR, athletes in the HEA group had RMR measured at baseline (~580 m) prior to altitude exposure (Pre-alt), at 36-hours (36 h-alt), 2 weeks (Wk2-alt) and 3 weeks into altitude exposure (Wk3-alt), and at 36 hours post-altitude exposure at ~580 m (36 h-post). To assess the effect of LEA exposure on RMR while at altitude, athletes in the LEA group underwent RMR measurements at Pre-alt and before (Wk2-alt) and after the 7-days of LEA (Wk3-alt). Results Compared to Pre-alt, the RMR of HEA athletes was increased at 36 h-alt (+5.3 ± 3.1%; p = 0.026) and Wk2-alt (+4.9 ± 4.9%; p = 0.049), but was no longer elevated at Wk3-alt (+1.7 ± 4.2%; p = 0.850). The RMR of HEA athletes at 36 h-post was lower than all timepoints at altitude (p < 0.05) but was not different from Pre-alt (-3.9 ± 7.2%; p = 0.124). The 7-day period of LEA exposure at altitude did not affect RMR (p = 0.347). Conclusions RMR was transiently increased with ~1,800 m altitude exposure in female athletes and was unaffected by short-term LEA. However, the altitude-induced increase was small (~25-75 kcal/day) and was unlikely to have clinically significant implications for daily energy requirements.