Case studies in physiology: Impact of a long‐distance hike on the Pacific Crest Trail on arterial function and body composition in a highly fit young male

Abstract

The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is a 4265‐km hiking trail that extends from the US‐Mexican border to the US‐Canadian border through the mountain ranges of western North America. Individuals who hike the entire length of the trail in one season (4–6 months) perform long daily exercise durations while exposed to extreme environmental temperatures, high altitudes, intense solar radiation, and the consumption of calorie‐rich, nutrient‐poor diets. This case study reports changes in arterial function and body composition in a subject before and after a 112‐day long‐distance hike of the PCT. Brachial artery flow‐mediated dilation, a measure of vascular endothelial function, decreased from: 6.97% to 5.00%. Carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity, a measure of aortic stiffness, increased from 5.39 to 5.76 m/s. Dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry scans detected no major changes in total‐body bone mineral density, fat mass, or lean mass, although there were minor, unfavorable changes in some subregions of the body. It is important for individuals completing a long‐distance hike to be aware of the potential deleterious changes associated with large volumes of exercise and consuming a high‐calorie, low‐quality diet.