Impact of Long Distance Mountain Race on Knee Cartilage.

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
Long-distance mountain running is increasingly popular among European and North America countries. Long-distance races are organized in various mountains and can reach up to 160 km (100 miles) with several thousands meters of climbing. The pathophysiological consequences of such extreme effort is still a matter a debate. From a muskelo-skeletal perspectives, the potential lower-limb join damage is a major health issue. The present study aims to use objective magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques to describe the consequences of performing long-distance mountain running races on the knee cartilage.

Detailed Description
-----------------
Healthy male runners will perform T2 MRI knee cartilage examination before, immediatly after and 1 month after 3 distinct long-distance mountain races of 40, 55 and 160 km. The physiological responses during the races (speed, heart rate, glycemia) will also be recordered.

Official Title
-----------------
Assessment of the Impact of an Ultratrail on the Knee Cartilage by Using T2 MRI: a Pilot Study

Conditions
-----------------
Sports Medicine

Intervention / Treatment
-----------------
* Other: Long-distance mountain running


Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Inclusion Criteria: no cardiac, respiratory or neuromuscular diseases more than 2 years of experience in mountain race no contre-indication for participating in a mountain race Exclusion Criteria: history of knee surgery contre-indication to MRI

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 60 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
Male

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| UT4M 40<br>athletes participating to the 40 km mountain race. | Other: Long-distance mountain running<br>* Impact of a mountain race on the knee cartilage<br>|
| UT4M 160<br>athletes participating to the 160 km mountain race. | Other: Long-distance mountain running<br>* Impact of a mountain race on the knee cartilage<br>|
| UTV 55<br>athletes participating to the 55 km mountain race. | Other: Long-distance mountain running<br>* Impact of a mountain race on the knee cartilage<br>|

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| T2 MRI | Change in T2 relaxation time of the knee cartilage | from before to immediatly after the long-distance race | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Heart rate | Mean heart rate during the race | Continuous measurement during the race | 
| Glycemia | Mean glycemia during the race | Continuous measurement during the race | 

 Terms related to the study
=================
Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
-----------------
long-distance running, knee cartilage, magnetic resonance imaging