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The first participants of the Four Days Marches Nijmegen have crossed the finish line, but the contributors to the UMC St Radboud’s annual research project led by exercise physiologist prof. dr. Maria Hopman, aren’t done yet. One last rounds of check-ups and assessments still awaits them.

“I don’t find it difficult at all to come here after the walk”, says one of the participants after his check-up in the research center. “It’s nice and quiet here, out of the sunshine and there is a pot of fresh coffee. It doesn’t get better than this”, jokes his younger walking companion.

Golden Oldies

The participant, who is 80 years and seven months old, isn’t the only one coming into the center at 2 PM for some fresh, cool air and to enjoy a cup of coffee. About 100 walkers come in after 30 kilometers to have their urine, blood, temperature, heartbeat and blood pressure checked. They participate in the UMC St Radboud’s annual research project. This year, the focus of the project is ‘Golden Oldies’. Hopman explains: “The main question of the research project this year is how it is possible that these people, with their advanced age, are capable of participating in the Four Days Marches.”

Behavior and cognition

Seven years ago, Hopman started research on the health of the participants of the Four Day March. The incentive was the two fatalities due to the heat in the previous year. Every year, the focus of the research lies with a different group of participants, like diabetics or obese people.

Behavioral patterns of the participants is one of the topic that Hopman researches . “This year fifty people over the age of 80 and thirty people between the age of 60 and 80, who serve as a control group, participate. Before the March starts, they fill out a questionnaire about any illnesses, nutritional needs or previous occupations. Plus we tested them last Sunday for several risk factors, muscle power, speed, body composition, and cognition. During the March, we check their body temperature with a temperature pill and we look at their hydration levels.”

Checking body-temperature and hydration levels is especially interesting in this group, according to Hopman. With increasing age, people perspire less and get less thirsty. The researchers expect that the body temperature of this group is higher than the body temperature of the control group.

Genetically determined

Aside from the behavior, Hopman also investigates whether the extraordinary accomplishment of these over-80s, is hereditary. “We wondered if family traits are important in enabling people of over 80 to do this. Therefore, we also include their children and grandchildren in the project. We look for risk factors like high blood pressure or cholesterol. Are there any hereditary illnesses or ailments that determine whether or not one is able to accomplish this at a later age?”

In good health

The contributors are enthusiastic and happily participate in the research. Although, some do it mainly for their own benefit: “I think it is wonderful because I can see whether or not I’m doing OK when I pass the checkpoints. The other thousands of participants might feel something, but they don’t know what it is”, says a 84-year old man who participates in the Four Days Marches for the 25^th time. Others also name the contribution to science as an important reasons for participating in the research.

A quick survey tells us that these passionate over-80s train a lot, thus explaining their great shape. An 81-year old participant has walked over 2,600 kilometers since January and trains about 31 hours a week. So it is no surprise that he is enthusiastic about the remaining days of the March. “I wouldn’t be able to give you an explanation if I’m not able to make it. I train every day of the week. I think there have only been four days since last January, when I haven’t walked.” On average the Golden Oldies train between 1,000 and 1,500 kilometers for the Four Days Marches.

High number of dropouts

There are 245 over-80s participants in the Four Days Marches. Every year, about 97% of them reaches the finish line. The number of dropouts this year is higher than previous years. One quarter of the over-80s has had to leave the March after three days. According to Hopman this high number of dropouts is due to the warm weather.

Beside these 80 particular participants, Hopman and her team also annually examine a fixed group of walkers to get an overview of their health and to record any changes.

Sources: MedZine editors and UMC St Radboud