In:
International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, Human Kinetics, Vol. 6, No. 1 ( 2011-03), p. 25-37
Abstract:
Despite increased 161-km ultramarathon participation in recent years, little is known about those who pursue such an activity. This study surveyed entrants in two of the largest 161-km trail ultramarathon runs in North America to explore demographic characteristics and issues that affected race performance. Methods: All entries of the 2009 Western States Endurance Run and the Vermont 100 Endurance Race were invited to complete a postrace questionnaire. Results: There were 500 respondents among the 701 race entries (71.3% response). Finish time was found to have a significant ( P 〈 .01) negative association with training volume and was generally directly associated with body mass index. Among nonfinishers, the primary reason for dropping out was nausea and/or vomiting (23.0%). Finishers compared with nonfinishers were more likely ( P 〈 .02) to report blisters (40.1% vs 17.3%), muscle pain (36.5% vs 20.1%), and exhaustion (23.1% vs 13.7%) as adversely affecting race performance, but nausea and/or vomiting was similar between groups (36.8% vs 39.6%). Nausea and/or vomiting was no more common among those using nonsteroidal anti-infammatory drugs (NS AIDs), those participating in the event with higher ambient temperatures, those with a lower training volume, or those with less experience at finishing 161-km races. Overall use of NSAIDs was high, and greater ( P = .006) among finishers (60.5%) than nonfinishers (46.4%). Conclusions: From this study, we conclude that primary performance-limiting issues in 161 -km ultramarathons include nausea and/or vomiting, blisters, and muscle pain, and there is a disturbingly high use of NSAIDs in these events.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1555-0265
,
1555-0273
DOI:
10.1123/ijspp.6.1.25
Language:
Unknown
Publisher:
Human Kinetics
Publication Date:
2011
SSG:
31
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