Antarctic expeditions pose significant physiological challenges, especially regarding sleep, which is vital for athletic performance and recovery; disturbances in sleep can negatively affect health and performance.
A study examined the sleep and fatigue patterns of a woman who completed a solo ski journey of 1484.53 km across Antarctica in 70 days, using various questionnaires to assess her sleep quality, fatigue, and recovery throughout the adventure.
Results showed she averaged around 4 to 5 hours of sleep daily, with increasing fatigue and muscle soreness as the expedition progressed; despite these challenges, she maintained high performance levels and demonstrated remarkable recovery post-expedition, highlighting the adaptability of female athletes in extreme conditions.*
Antarctic expeditions present significant health challenges, including nutritional deficiencies, cold injuries, and severe fatigue.
A case study of a 33-year-old female adventurer highlights her experience during a 1484.53 km solo ski expedition in extreme cold (-12 to -50°C) and high winds, where she developed a neck injury and a serious cold injury on her calf.
Post-expedition, she faced a 26.7% reduction in body mass, alongside muscle soreness and sleep issues, underscoring the need for further research on medical conditions related to polar exploration.