Problems Associated With Ultramarathon
Condition: Ultramarathon Runner
Study type: Observational

Summary: 
      Acute physiological consequences of ultramarathon running are still unknown, particularly in
      women. Results from the investigators first studies conducted in 2009 have shown that a large
      part of fatigue induced by a mountain ultramarathon could be attributed to central fatigue.
      The investigators have investigated the biological consequences and neuromuscular fatigue
      only in male runners. Data from the literature suggest that amplitude and etiology of fatigue
      after prolonged exercise might be gender-dependant.The main purpose of the present project is
      thus to quantify supraspinal central fatigue and associated changes in cortical excitability
      after an extreme exercise such as a mountain ultramarathon: the Ultra-Trail du Mont-blanc, by
      using TMS.
    

Detailed description: 
      Acute physiological consequences of ultramarathon running are still unknown, particularly in
      women. Results from our first studies conducted in 2009 have shown that a large part of
      fatigue induced by a mountain ultramarathon could be attributed to central fatigue. Indeed,
      during extreme exercises such as 24h running, strength losses of knee extensor muscles have
      reached -40% and ¾ of this fatigue was explain by a central deficit while peripheral
      mechanisms explained only ¼. Similar results have been reported after a mountain
      ultramarathon despite the fact that several downhill have induced number of eccentric
      contractions. As a consequence, central fatigue must be particularly investigated. For this
      purpose, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been recently validated to measure
      supraspinal central fatigue and cortical excitability.

      We have investigated the biological consequences and neuromuscular fatigue only in male
      runners. Data from the literature suggest that amplitude and etiology of fatigue after
      prolonged exercise might be gender-dependant. However, these physiological data and studies
      that have paired male and female by level of performance on shorter distances seem
      contradictory with performance comparison between genders so that the relative superiority of
      women in ultra-endurance is not ascertained. The hypothesis of a greater fatigue resistance
      after ultramarathons in women should then be tested. The biological consequences of
      ultramarathon are far to be negligible in terms of inflammatory syndrome but complete
      characterization of this syndrome after such an extreme exercise has yet to be done. Also,
      several cases of renal failure have been reported after ultramarathons. Evaluation of
      ultramarathon consequences on kidneys is necessary to prevent serious complications. Finally,
      consequences of an ultramarathon are not only linked to races but also to training, i.e. the
      prolonged time spent in running to prepare for the races. Energy expenditure can be more than
      twice the normal one and repeated impact may potentially alter bone metabolism but to the
      best of our knowledge, there is no study that have assessed the effects of ultra-endurance
      running on bone tissue, particularly in males.

      The main purpose of the present project is thus to quantify supraspinal central fatigue and
      associated changes in cortical excitability after an extreme exercise such as a mountain
      ultramarathon: the Ultra-Trail du Mont-blanc, by using TMS. The secondary purpose are (i) to
      compare neuromuscular and biological alterations induced by a mountain ultramarathon between
      males and females matched by age and level of performance, (ii) to evaluate, by biological
      urine and blood samples, the consequences of a mountain ultramarathon on kidneys and (iii) to
      investigate the hormonal status and bone mineral density of a group of male and female
      runners who take part to this type of event regularly.
    

Intervention name(s): ultramarathon running
Intervention type(s): Other
Intervention description(s): blood samples before and after ultramarathon
urinary samples before and after ultramarathon
voluntary ant electrically muscular forces measuring before and after ultramarathon
Broadband ultrasound Attenuation before and after ultramarathon
Observational model: Cohort
Time perspective: Prospective
Sampling method: Non-Probability Sample
Study population: 
        ultramarathon runner
      
Keywords: ultramarathon central fatigue,