888 scale

Baseline data were collected 1 or 2 days before the start of the event, after a minimum resting period of 24 h (Fig. 1). A period of 24 h recovery was based on the kinetics of immune cell count recovery post‐exercise.⁴ At baseline, body height and weight (Seca 888 scale, Hamburg, Germany) were measured to calculate body mass index (BMI). Waist circumference was measured with a measuring tape (Seca 201, Chino, CA, USA). Resting heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBR), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured in the supine position after a 5 min resting period. All participants completed a general questionnaire on demographics, level of education, smoking, and medication use. Heart rate (HR) was used to estimate exercise intensity as a percentage of the maximum HR (exercise intensity = measured HR/expected maximal HR × 100%, where expected max HR = 208 –132 (0.7 × age)).³¹ Exercise intensity was determined using the guideline of the America Heart Association.³² Performing 50–70% of your maximum heart rate is considered moderate intensity. From 70% to 85% of your maximum heart rate is regarded as vigorous intensity. For determination of the exercise intensity, heart rate at day 1 was measured during the prolonged exercise at every 5‐km checkpoint. The mean heart rate per person was used for exercise intensity calculation.

At baseline, body mass (SECA 888 scale, Hamburg, Germany) and body height were measured, which were used to calculate the body mass index (BMI). Furthermore, body fat percentage was calculated using a four‐point (biceps, triceps, sub‐scapular, and sub‐iliac) skinfold thickness measurement (Durnin and Womersley 1974). Thereafter, blood pressure and heart rate were measured twice using an automated sphygmomanometer (M5‐1 intellisense, Omron Healthcare, Hoofddorp, the Netherlands) after 5 min of supine rest. Finally, all subjects completed a questionnaire regarding their habitual physical activity levels, including the hours of exercise per week, and the walking specific training history in the year prior to the walking march.

At baseline, body weight (Seca 888 scale, Hamburg, Germany) and body height were determined and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Thereafter, resting heart rate was measured using an automated sphygmomanometer (M5-1 intellisense, Omron Healthcare, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands) after 5 min supine rest.

We determined height, weight (Seca 888 Scale, Seca, Hamburg, Germany), body mass index, body fat percentage [25 (link)], and waist and hip circumference. Furthermore, we obtained heart rate and blood pressure (manually, WelchAllyn, Maxi-Stabil 3, NY, USA), an electrocardiogram to determine heart rhythm, and a venous blood sample to determine fasted glucose and (total) cholesterol concentrations.