Nutritional Preparation for an Ultra-Endurance Swimmer: A Case Report Case Study
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Keywords
nutrition, caloric expenditures, swimming efficiency
Abstract
Introduction: Nutritional considerations and metabolic determinates for ultra-endurance events continue to evolve with the increasing popularity of events. This case study assessed the nutritional requirements required of 30-year-old male ultra-endurance athlete to successfully complete an endurance open-water swim.
Methods: Dietary intake in preparation for the event was assessed, estimated caloric needs, and a nutritional analysis was performed on the athlete to determine nutritional intake that was required to successfully complete the endurance swim event. The athlete was monitored for 24.3 miles (Ontario, Canada to Northeast, Pennsylvania, United States). Day of nutritional changes were observed, and body composition was assessed pre- and post-event.
Results: The swimmer was monitored for 11 hours, 28 minutes and 5 seconds. Determination of athletes’ potential metabolic energy would shape the energy cost to complete the endurance event. Modifications prior to the ultra-endurance swim event met the athlete’s energy requirement for training and the energy reserve needed for the endurance swim event.
Conclusions: The addition of calories and nutritional modifications prior to the ultra-endurance swim event met the athlete’s energy requirement for training and the energy reserve needed for the endurance swim event. This case study highlights the importance of providing nutritional support for ultra-endurance athletes and the difficulty in predicting energy expenditure for such an event.
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Copyright, 2025 by the authors. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Suzanne Kitts, Gannon University
Dr. Suzanne Kitts, Associate Professor, has served as the Director of the Nutrition program and a faculty member of the Applied Exercise Science department for 21 years. She passionate about delivering and creating impactful education focused on nutrition and kinesiology.