Problems Associated With Ultramarathon (CHAMONIX2)

Acute and Chronic Problems Associated With the Practice of Mountain Ultramarathon

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.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Ultramarathon Runner
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: ultramarathon running

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.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 35

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• France
  • Saint-etienne, France, 42000
    • CHU de Saint-Etienne

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 60 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

ultramarathon runner

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• participating to Mont-Blanc ultramarathon
• participation in at least two ultra-endurance races like Trail

Exclusion Criteria:

• injury within 3 months before the race
• joint pathology
• contra indication for magnetic stimulation transcranial

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Observational Models: Cohort
• Time Perspectives: Prospective

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
ultramarathon runner; People who do the Mont Blanc ultramarathon (31/08/12 to 02/09/12)	Other: ultramarathon running; 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

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
central fatigue	quantify supraspinal central fatigue	Immediatly after the Mont Blanc ultramarathon

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
neuromuscular and biological alterations	compare neuromuscular and biological alterations induced by a mountain ultramarathon between males and females matched by age and level of performance	Immediatly after the Mont Blanc ultramarathon
kidney consequences	Evaluate, by biological urine and blood samples, the consequences of a mountain ultramarathon on kidneys	Immediatly after the Mont Blanc ultramarathon
hormonal status and bone mineral density	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	Immediatly after the Mont Blanc ultramarathon

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Saint Etienne
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Leonard FEASSON, MD, Chu Saint-Etienne; Study Chair: Guillaume MILLET, PhD, Université de Saint-Etienne

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: June 1, 2012
• Primary Completion (Actual): September 1, 2012
• Study Completion (Actual): September 1, 2012

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 2, 2012
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 16, 2012
• First Posted (Estimate): May 18, 2012

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): November 12, 2012
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 9, 2012
• Last Verified: November 1, 2012

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: ultramarathon central fatigue,
• Other Study ID Numbers: 1208048; 2012-A00424-39 (Other Identifier: AFSSAPS)