Introduction
The primary aim of the study was to compare select training and health characteristics
between ultramarathon and shorter distance runners participating in a trail race series.
Methods
A questionnaire was sent to all participants who signed up for a trail race series,
including distances of 10 km, half marathon, 50 km, 80.5 km (50 mi), and 100 km. There
were 59 participants (27 ultramarathoners and 32 half marathon/10-km runners) who
completed the questionnaire. We compared the training and health characteristics between
groups using t tests and Fisher exact tests.
Results
There were no significant differences in reported history of stress fracture (15%
vs 9%; P=0.70) or sleep quality scores (4.4 vs 5.5; P=0.15) between the ultramarathon and half marathon/10-km groups. Over half of both
groups reported trying to change body weight to improve performance, without significant
differences between groups (65% vs 53%; P=0.42). A significantly greater proportion of the ultramarathoners reported an episode
of binge eating in the 4 wk preceding the race (38% vs 3%; P=0.001).
Conclusions
Despite differences in training volume, we did not find different injury, sleep, and
nutrition data between the ultramarathoners and half marathon/10-km runners, with
the exception of more ultramarathoners reporting binging behaviors in the 4 wk leading
up to the race. Screening for eating disorder behaviors should be considered in distance
runners, particularly ultrarunners.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 08, 2023
Accepted:
December 1,
2022
Received:
July 8,
2022
Publication stage
In Press Corrected ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2022 Wilderness Medical Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
