The energy deficit that the contestants have been running since the first day is now catching up with them, and their bodies have become catabolic (preferentially feeding off their .
Optimum Performance: New study shows stronger connection between running and building muscle According to the Mayo Clinic researchers, “our findings suggest that aerobic exercise training is a viable exercise prescription to mitigate age-related decrements (loss) in muscle mass caused by catabolic (breakdown) of mRNA expression (a blueprint for making protein or muscle).”
April 18, 2014 - New Orleans Times-Picayune