Unexpected Elements Enduring it all
May 16, 2025
Meghann Christian, a European Space Agency astronaut with a year at Antarctica's Concordia Station under her belt, discusses endurance on the final frontier. She delves into the genetic influences on endurance performance and shares insights from extreme environments like the Antarctic. The conversation explores the effects of air pollution on runners, humorous tales of resilience, and the fascinating connection between human endurance and animal adaptations, all while revealing the mental and physical tenacity required to conquer such challenges.
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Genetics Shape Endurance Ability
- Genetic variability strongly influences endurance factors like oxygen transport and muscle composition.
- This explains why athletes perform differently even with identical training programs.
Brain Uses Myelin for Energy
- During endurance exercise, the brain uses myelin as an energy source when other nutrients are depleted.
- Myelin consumption decreases during marathons but regenerates over about two months afterwards.
Pollution Slows Marathon Times
- Air pollution, especially fine particulate matter (PM2.5), slows marathon finish times significantly.
- Pollution levels can add up to 32 seconds to men’s and 25 seconds to women’s finish times per microgram per cubic meter.