Researchers studying cold weather endurance at Yukon Arctic Ultra vexed by extreme cold weather
A Wave of Scratches at Yukon Arctic Ultra Poses Challenges for Researchers
A flurry of scratches at the Yukon Arctic Ultra in the past week has not only been frustrating for racers and organizers but has also presented a daunting challenge for one German researcher.
Mathias Steinach, affiliated with the Center for Space Medicine and Extreme Environments in Berlin, is actively involved in studying the physical effects of extreme cold on high-performance athletes.
Participants in the Yukon Arctic Ultra cover distances of up to 600 kilometers by foot, bicycle, or skis. This year, the race kicked off in Teslin with temperatures plummeting to around -40°C, maintaining frigid conditions in the -30s throughout the event.
While the race seems like the perfect setting for Steinach’s research, with 34 out of 61 competitors dropping out due to frostbite induced by extreme cold, it has posed a setback. Ten out of the 14 runners involved in his latest study have also withdrawn from the race.
“Two by three by one by two, they are dropping out,” Steinach expressed. “Unfortunately, there’s nothing we can do about it, and this is adversely impacting our research.”
Participants in the study are equipped with fitness monitors that gather an array of physiological data, including heart rate, calories expended, and step count. They began wearing these monitors in Whitehorse even before the race commenced to establish baseline data for comparison during the race.
The current Ultra course follows the Yukon Quest’s new route between Teslin and Faro, encompassing the challenging Canol Road with its undulating hills. Organizers believe that the strenuous effort required to conquer these hills is a significant factor contributing to the high dropout rate.
“This has a significant impact on physiology and energy expenditure,” Steinach elaborated. “Participants cannot consume as many calories as they burn, leading to the body utilizing its energy reserves, such as fat mass. I am intrigued by how the body adapts to these changes and the magnitude of the impact.”
Race director Robert Polhammer emphasized that engaging in the study also offers valuable insights to competitors. “Athletes receive a wealth of data and information about themselves, aiding them in future performances or identifying areas for improvement,” he noted.
Steinach has contributed to numerous research papers on athletic performance in extreme cold, including prior editions of the Yukon Arctic Ultra. Despite potential data limitations for a peer-reviewed paper this year, researchers could still produce a case study akin to the one on the first woman to solo trek across Antarctica unsupported.
“It remains compelling to explore individual achievements and unveil the remarkable capabilities of the human body,” Steinach remarked.
