Ultra-marathon runner helping scientists determine whether too much exercise is bad for you
Have you ever run a marathon? How about one every day for a month at the age of 60?
Ultra-marathon runner Peter Wheatley began his 31-day, 1,300-kilometre journey in Hobart on Friday to help scientists determine whether too much exercise can be bad for health.
During that time researchers from the University of Tasmania and the Menzies Institute for Medical Research will closely monitor his nervous system, energy intake, sleep, gastrointestinal system, blood markers and overall wellbeing.
It is hoped the findings will help ultra-endurance athletes understand how their bodies react when pushed to the brink.
UTAS exercise physiologist Cecilia Kitic said the marathon month could both harm and improve Mr Wheatley's health.
"We don't know if this moderate intensity exercise back-to-back would be as damaging as high intensity competitive events," Dr Kitic said.
"It might be actually really nice, because we could say this level of exercise doesn't damage the heart.
"While there has been research into humans doing ultra-marathons before, we will be doing quite a lot of unique testing."
Dr Kitic is particularly interested in the runner's gut health.
"[We're looking at] how the 31 days actually influence the populations of microbiota and pathogens in his gut," she said.
"We still really don't know the gastrointestinal changes that take place in athletes during heavy training."
Wheatley no stranger to extreme exertion
Mr Wheatley has extensive ultra-endurance experience including completing an Ultraman event: 10-kilometre swim, 420-kilometre ride and 84-kilometre run.
After suffering injuries in past events, he is keen to know how far he can push his body.
"I might get cramps and I might get pain in various parts of the body, but the usual adage is if you've got pain running one way, find a different way to run," he said.
"I certainly will be disappointed if I get blisters."
During the 31 days his schedule will include the Melbourne Marathon and Hobart's Point to Pinnacle both up and back.
He is also raising money to build water wells for impoverished people in the Simien Mountains Region of Ethiopia.