This study has as main objective to asses different genetic, biochemical and physiological biomarkers affecting performance and health status in ultraendurance runners according to individual's sex.
Ultraendurance races has been shown to impact on several health-related biomarkers, and therefore they may have detrimental effects on runners' health. In this study, we aim to analyze the impact of running a 107,6 km mountain race in ultraendurance runners splitting our sample by individual's sex. To do this, baseline measurements of the runners have been collected through stress tests and biochemical analyses of blood and urine samples. Indeed, a saliva sample was collected to isolated a genomic DNA sample of each runner. During the race anthropometrical, ventilatory and strength data was collected in three different moments and after crossing the finish line. Indeed, after completed the ultraendurance mountain race, blood and urine samples were taken at the finish line, as well as 24h and 48h post-race.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
50
The runners completed a 107,6 km mountain race
Universitat Jaume I
Castellon, Spain
Change in the biochemical parameters related to kidney injury, dehydration, inflammation, and cardiac damage
Blood concentration of estradiol, testosterone, progesterone, creatinine, troponin, C-reactive protein, hemoglobin, sodium, potassium, chlorine, iron, and ferritin. Concentration of all these parameters is expressed in mass per volume (i.e. nanograms per milliliter)
Time frame: 12 hours before the race, 15 minutes after the race, 24 hours after the race and 48 hours after the race
Change in the biochemical parameters related to muscle damage
Blood concentration of lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase. The enzyme concentration is expressed in units per volume (enzyme units per milliliter)
Time frame: 12 hours before the race, 15 minutes after the race, 24 hours after the race and 48 hours after the race
Change in the biochemical parameters related to immunological response
Blood concentration of erythrocytes, hematocrit, leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils, and platelet volume. The concentration of each cell type is expressed in number of cells per volume (cells per liter)
Time frame: 12 hours before the race, 15 minutes after the race, 24 hours after the race and 48 hours after the race
Change in the power level
Squat Jump (high of the jump measured in centimeters)
Time frame: 12 hours before the race, 15 minutes after the race
Change in the lung function
Pulmonary function test by spirometry. The parameters measured are vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC), maximal mid-expiratory flow (MEF) and total lung capacity. Outcome data of all these parameters are expressed in liters.
Time frame: 12 hours before the race, and 15 minutes after the race
Change in the lung function related to time
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Pulmonary function test by spirometry. The parameters measured are forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and in 6 seconds (FEV6) and peak expiratory flow (PEF). Outcome data of all these parameters are expressed in liters per second.
Time frame: 12 hours before the race, and 15 minutes after the race
Change in the Strength level
Hand grip (pressure in kilograms)
Time frame: 12 hours before the race, in three moments during the race (after running 33km, 65km and 94 km), and 15 minutes after the race
Change in the Ventilatory Flow
Ventilatory Flow measurement (liters per minute)
Time frame: 60 minutes before the race, in three moments during the race (after running 33km, 65km and 94 km), and 15 minutes after the race
Change in the biochemical parameters related to dehydration and kidney injury
Urine test to measure the concentration of sodium and creatinine, as well as urine density
Time frame: 60 minutes before the race and 15 minutes after the race
Analysis of tne changes in the Physical activity data
Physical activity measured by wearing accelerometer devices. Physical activity defined as sedentary, light, moderate, vigorous, very vigorous and extremely vigorous. The aim to wear accelerometers devices is to monitor individuals.
Time frame: From 9 hours before starting the race to 48 hours after crossing the finish line.
Analysis of the presence or absence of genetic markers related to endurance performance and ability to muscle damage recovery
Analysis of different polymorphisms in genomic DNA samples, which were isolated from the saliva sample of each participant.
Time frame: 12 hours before the race
Telomere length, genetic marker related to biological aging
Analysis of the telomere length in genomic DNA samples, which were isolated from saliva samples of each participant
Time frame: 12 hours before the race
Self-reported questionnaire about social and health status
Personal questionnaire asking for social status. Multiple-choice questions. Participants choose one of the different possible answers. Data is encoded as a factor variable with different levels.
Time frame: One month before the race day
Self-reported questionnaire about training habits
Personal questionnaire asking for training habits. Multiple-choice questions. Participants choose one of the different possible answers. Data is encoded as a factor variable with different levels.
Time frame: One month before the race day
Self-reported questionnaire about menstrual cycle (only for females)
Personal questionnaire asking for training habits. Open-ended questions. Females answer questions regarding menstrual cycle (duration, dates, regularity, quantity of bleeding, pregnancy history, dysmenorrhea).
Time frame: One month before the race day
Assesment of physical condition by cardiopulmonary test
Maximal oxygen consumption (milliliters of oxygen used in one minute per kilogram of body weight)
Time frame: One month before the race day
Analysis of body composition (proportion of body fat, fat-free mass and water) per body areas (trunk, arms and legs)
Bioimpedance analysis (percentage of body fat, fat-free mass and water)
Time frame: 12 hours before the race, and 15 minutes after the race,
Heart rate
Recording the number of contractions of the heart per minute (bpm) by using a heart rate monitor during the race
Time frame: Through race completion (the time that a runner is performing the 107 kilometers of the race, an average of 25 hours)
Evaluation of effort subjective perception
Borg ratings of perceived exertion (CR10). Scale with ten levels (0-Nothing at all, and 10-Extremely)
Time frame: 60 minutes before the race, in three moments during the race (after running 33km, 65km and 94 km), and 15 minutes after the race
Evaluation of muscle damage subjective perception per body areas
Evaluation of perceived muscle damage in a 10-level scale. Scale with ten levels (0-Nothing at all, and 10-Extremely)
Time frame: 12 hours before the race, 15 minutes after the race, and 48 hours after the race
Change in the body mass
Body mass measurement (weight in kilograms)
Time frame: 60 minutes before the race, in three moments during the race (after running 33km, 65km and 94 km), and 15 minutes after the race,