Publications by authors named "Victoria R Perez"
Wilderness Environ Med
December 2023
Article Synopsis
- Long-distance thru-hiking, like the Pacific Crest Trail, places significant physical demands on hikers, exemplified by a 55-year-old man who hiked 3767 km in 128 days.
- Despite a daily energy expenditure of 5702 kcal, his energy intake was only 4141 kcal, leading to a 9% decrease in body mass and low energy availability, which raises concerns about relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S) syndrome.
- Post-hike evaluations showed negative impacts like decreased bone mineral density and increased cholesterol levels, but most health markers returned to baseline within 8 months; recommendations include optimizing energy intake and adjusting hiking distances to mitigate RED-S risk.
