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Cited by 285Muscle metabolism and nutritionSports Performance and TrainingThermoregulation and physiological responses

Study on Food Intake and Energy Expenditure During Extreme Sustained Exercise: The Tour de France

Saris, W., van Erp-Baart*, M., Brouns, F., Westerterp, K., Hoor, F.·1989·International Journal of Sports Medicine
DOI 10.1055/s-2007-1024951
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Abstract

Food intake and energy expenditure (EE) were studied in five cyclists during the 22-day race of the Tour de France. The course is about 4000 km including 30 mountain passages (up to 2700 m altitude) and can be considered as one of the most strenuous endurance endeavors. Nutritional intake was calculated from daily food records. EE was estimated from sleeping time and the low activity period. EE during cycling was predicted based on detailed information. Mean energy intake (EI) was 24.7 MJ with a highest mean daily EI of 32.4 MJ. Mean EE was 25.4 MJ with a highest mean daily EE of 32.7 MJ. Relative contribution of protein, CHO, and fat was 15, 62, and 23 En% resp. 49% of EI was taken during the race resulting in a CHO intake of 94 g.h-1 representing 69 en%. It is questioned whether this amount of CHO is optimal in relation to CHO oxidation and performance. About 30% from CHO intake came from CHO-rich liquids. High EI resulted in high Ca and Fe intake. For vitamins, especially B1, this relation was not found. Vitamin B1 nutrient density dropped to 0.25 mg/4.2 MJ during the race caused by a large intake of refined CHO-rich food items. However, vitamin supplementation was high. Daily water intake was 6.71 with extremes up to 11.81. Therefore, the strategy of intake of large quantities of CHO-rich liquids seems to be the appropriate answer to maintain energy and fluid balance under these extreme conditions.

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  • Elite athletes consume large amounts (>450 g per day) of simple sugars during events such as the Tour de France.

    “In addition, elite athletes typically display exquisite metabolic health, as demonstrated by a 3‐fold higher insulin sensitivity than controls (Manetta et al. 2000) despite consuming large amounts (>450 g per day) of simple sugars during events such as the Tour de France (Saris et al. 1989).”

    From Fructose co‐ingestion to increase carbohydrate availability in athletes (2019) · cites this paper as Saris et al. 1989

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Authors
Saris, W., van Erp-Baart*, M., Brouns, F., Westerterp, K., & Hoor, F.
Affiliations
Maastricht University (NL)
ORCID
Venue
International Journal of Sports Medicine
Publisher
Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Published
1989-05
Volume
10
Issue
S 1
Pages
S26-S31
ISSN
  • 0172-4622 (ISSN-L)
  • 1439-3964
DOI
10.1055/s-2007-1024951
OpenAlex
W2170886303
Cited by
285
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 12
FWCI
2.14
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • International Journal of Sports Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • TNO Repository (submittedVersion)
  • Repository hosted by TU Delft Library (TU Delft) (submittedVersion)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Thermoregulation and physiological responses
Keywords
Tour de France, endurance cycling, energy expenditure, energy intake, carbohydrate intake, protein intake, dietary fat intake, thiamine, calcium intake, iron intake, water intake, energy balance, fluid balance, extreme exercise
MeSH terms
Bicycling, Energy Intake, Eating, Energy Metabolism, Humans, Male, Nutritional Requirements, Physical Endurance, Sports

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