- About postgraduate study
- Part-time study
- Courses
- Order a Prospectus
- Faculties & Departments
- UK students
- EU students
- International Students
- How to apply for your course
- Handy Hints
- Open Events
- Student Recruitment
- Money Matters
- About Us
24 Jun 2010 15:26:06
The Professor of Sport at the University of Bedfordshire praised the endurance of the tennis players involved in the marathon 10-hour match at Wimbledon.
Frenchman Nicolas Mahut and America’s John Isner will resume their epic encounter later this afternoon (Thursday, 24 June) at 59-59 in the fifth and final set.
It is easily the longest match in tennis history and was only suspended late last night in the gathering gloom due to Mahut complaining about the light.
Professor John Brewer said: “It’s as extreme as it can get in tennis. But there are other events like the Tour de France and iron man triathlons which are tests of endurance. Even allowing for breaks between games, it’s still a great achievement however.
“The two players will have used up between 6,000 and 10,000 calories during the match; a normal person uses 2,500-3,000 calories each day. They will have used up mainly ‘carbohydrate’ energy for the first two hours of exercise and then you start burning up your fat stores.
“With their blood sugar levels becoming low, their decision making wouldn’t have been as clear as it might normally be and there’s the risk of losing co-ordination.
“Dehydration is a real issue as you can lose two litres of fluid per hour in sweat. Recovery is so important so both players will have needed to drink plenty of fluids and stock up on things like pasta, bananas and breakfast cereals.”
Latest news» 2010» June» Wimbledon's marathon match is test of endurance
