The Importance of electrolytes on kokoda

23 Jan 2026 6:20 PM

Why Magnesium Matters on the Kokoda Track

 

A hard lesson from the track

A few years ago, there were tragic incidents on the Kokoda Track where trekkers succumbed to complications associated with electrolyte imbalance. While multiple factors are always involved in such environments, magnesium deficiency was a known contributor.

For those of us working as exercise physiologists, this wasn’t a surprise — it was a confirmation of something we already understood deeply.

Magnesium is not optional on Kokoda.
It is foundational.

Why magnesium is so critical on Kokoda

Magnesium plays a central role in:

• Muscle contraction and relaxation

• Nerve signalling

• Energy production (ATP)

• Heart rhythm regulation

• Temperature regulation

On Kokoda, trekkers are:

• Sweating heavily for hours every day

• Operating under cumulative fatigue

• Walking on unstable terrain that demands constant neuromuscular control

This combination dramatically increases magnesium loss and demand.

Without adequate magnesium:

• Muscles fatigue faster

• Cramping risk increases

• Coordination declines

• Cardiac and nervous system stress rises

In a remote environment, small physiological issues escalate quickly.

Why our trekkers were never at risk

As exercise physiologists, we don’t guess — we plan.

Long before trekkers ever step onto the track, we account for:

• Sweat rate

• Load carriage

• Daily energy expenditure

• Heat stress

• Electrolyte depletion patterns

That means electrolyte strategy is not an afterthought — it is designed into the trek.

Our approach ensures:

• Correct electrolyte balance (not just sodium)

• Appropriate magnesium dosing and timing

• Education so trekkers understand why they are supplementing, not just that they are

This is why our trekkers have never been exposed to the same risks.

It’s not just about electrolytes — it’s about systems

One of the biggest mistakes people make is thinking electrolytes are simply about stopping cramps.

On Kokoda, electrolytes are about:

• Sustaining neuromuscular function

• Preserving decision-making under fatigue

• Reducing cumulative physiological load

• Supporting recovery overnight so the body can adapt

Magnesium, in particular, underpins adaptive capacity — the ability to absorb stress without breakdown.

Respecting the track means respecting physiology

Kokoda doesn’t reward toughness alone.
It rewards preparation.

Understanding electrolytes — especially magnesium — is part of respecting the track, your body, and the responsibility leaders have for those in their care.

We don’t rely on luck.
We rely on science, experience, and preparation.

Because on Kokoda, what you don’t plan for can matter the most.