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Dr. Bret Goodpastor
As an exercise physiologist (Ph.D. 1995) at the University of Pittsburgh, I will participate in the Antarctic expedition to the South Pole to help raise money and awareness for type I diabetes. Along with participating in the expedition itself, I propose to perform important physiological research with the willing volunteers in the expedition.
Since we only have a limited number of potential participants in this research, the information will be descriptive in nature, but nevertheless important from at least two different perspectives. First, little information exists about the rigors of physical activity in extreme cold environments with regard to physiological demands, physiological and body composition changes, and nutritional requirements. Moreover, no information such as this exists in a Type I diabetic such as Will Cross, who will be taking a lead role in this expedition.
We will examine the changes in several parameters of body composition, metabolism, fitness, and muscle function before and after the expedition. We routinely perform very complex assessments of energy metabolism and body composition of patients with diabetes and in non-diabetics at the University of Pittsburgh. Specifically, we will be able to determine changes in body fat and muscle mass, changes in muscle fatty acid and glucose metabolism and changes in overall energy expenditure. We will measure changes in physical fitness (aerobic capacity) with a measure of maximal oxygen consumption during maximal exercise. Muscle strength and fatigue will also be measured before and after the expedition.
In addition to measuring changes in body composition, metabolism and function, we will measure energy expenditure during the expedition with wireless heart rate monitors and non-radioactive (stable) isotope dilution methods. In conjunction with these physiological variables we will measure the total caloric intake and macronutrient composition, i.e. % fat, carbohydrate and protein of the diets during the expedition. This information will enable us to determine the extent to which energy expenditure and caloric intake can be matched during this extreme event, and how much body fat and protein is lost to account for the deficit in energy expenditure and food intake.
Perhaps most importantly, we will demonstrate that persons with type I diabetes, who are adequately trained, are quite capable of performing such feats as a trek to the South Pole. Moreover, the research performed during this expedition will provide a unique opportunity to determine how insulin requirements change during physical activity in an extreme environment. The hypothesis to be tested is that a type I diabetic will have similar physiological responses during this expedition as a non-diabetic. Thus, both the participation in the expedition itself and the physiological research will undoubtedly raise awareness about this disease.
The training trek to the North Pole did provide preliminary data which is partially summarized in the following tables:
  
The preliminary data suggests that individuals with Type I diabetes who are prepared and physically fit are quite capable of high level physical activity in an extreme environment. Please read more about the North Pole data on the North Pole findings webpage. More detailed research is necessary to determine whether or not it is possible for diabetics to maintain energy balance for longer periods in such extreme conditions.
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