The 4,000 or so Australians who are expected to walk the Kokoda track in 2007, should prepare for a gruelling 96 kilometre endurance test spanning 7 to 11 days according to Professor Kevin Norton - a pre-eminent sport scientist and SKA's Director of Research & Knowledge Services.

"The harsh physical demands of the track were written about during times of war but have never been fully understood or quantified," says Norton. "As the popularity of Kokoda grows, it is important for those considering the trek to understand the physical requirements - the preparation should not be underestimated - very high levels of conditioning are required."

In the lead up to ANZAC Day 2006, Norton set out with a team of South Australian ex-footballers to monitor the physical stamina required to walk the track which passes through dense rainforest, boggy swamps, tall grassland, and rises to over 7,000 feet at its highest point.

After completing the walk in eight days Norton concluded that - "Extreme sport events conducted today are worthy comparisons. You require almost the same energy to walk Kokoda per day as riding the Tour-de France."

"In the week before our trek, eight people from a group of eleven were evacuated by helicopter as a consequence of poor preparation, low fitness and the resultant dehydration and extreme fatigue."

"The physical effort required on the Kokoda track results in burning off about a kilo of fat every two days. Coupled with a loss of appetite, it is easy to see how each person could lose five kilos over eight days of walking," says Norton.

In the weeks leading up to the walk the group participated in endurance training and underwent laboratory health and fitness tests. Each team member was given a heart rate monitor which they wore continuously on the expedition and with a full measurement calibrated on the final day.

The average energy used each day was 4,200 kcal with an exhausting 6,000 kcal on the first day. Norton says that this massive rate of energy use is not much below the energy required by the Tour de France cyclists [about 6,000 kcal per day for 21 days]. To lose one kilo of fat requires 9,000 kcal of energy use. By comparison, an intense one hour gym session uses between 400-600 kcal. About 150 kcal in daily physical activity is recommended for health benefits.

ANZAC Day 2006 - Isurava, Papua New Guinea
There is compelling motivation to complete the walk among Australians which can't be measured in "kcals" says Norton, "The x-factor that is immeasurable when walking Kokoda is the knowledge that previous generations of Australians had covered the same paths and many diggers had fought and died there. Those thoughts kept us going."