Context: A growing amount of recent research in sport psychology has focused on trying to understand withdrawals from ultra-races. However, according to the Four E approach, the studies underestimated the embedded components of these experiences and particularly how they were linked to the specific environmental conditions in which the experiences occurred. Objective: This study aimed to characterize trail running withdrawals in relationship to race topography. Design: Qualitative design, involving self-confrontation interviews and use of a race map. Setting: Use of the race map for description of the race activity and self-confrontation interviews took place 1–3 days after the races. Participants: Ten runners who withdrew during an ultra-trail race. Data Collection and Analysis: Data on past activity traces and experiences were elicited from self-confrontation interviews. Data were coded and compared to identify common sequences and then each type of sequence was counted with regard to race topography. Results: Results showed that each sequence was related to runners’ particular possibilities for acting, feeling, and thinking, which were in turn embedded in the race topography. These sequences allowed the unfolding of the activity and increased its overall effectiveness in relation to the constraints of this specific sport. Conclusion: This study allowed us to highlight important information on how ultra-trail runners manage their races in relationship to the race environment and more specifically to its topography. The result will also help us to recommend potential adjustments to ultra-trail runners’ performance-oriented training and preparation.

The hematological module of the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) is used in elite sport for antidoping purposes. Its aim is to better target athletes for testing and to indirectly detect blood doping. The ABP allows to monitor hematological variations in athletes using selected primary blood biomarkers (hemoglobin concentration ([Hb]) and reticulocyte percentage (Ret%)) with an adaptive Bayesian model to set individual upper and lower limits. If values fall without the individual limits, an athlete may be further targeted and ultimately sanctioned. Since Hb and Ret% vary with plasma volume (PV) fluctuations, possibly caused by training load changes, we investigated the putative influence of acute and chronic training load changes on the ABP variables. Monthly blood samples were collected over one year in 10 elite cyclists (Mean (SD): 25.6 (3.4) yrs, 181 (4) cm, 71.3 (4.9) kg, 6.7 (0.8) W/kg 5 min maximal power output) to calculate individual ABP profiles and monitor hematological variables. Total hemoglobin mass (Hbmass) and PV were additionally measured by carbon monoxide rebreathing. Acute and chronic training loads (respectively 5 and 42 days before sampling) were calculated considering duration and intensity (training stress score, TSSTM). [Hb] averaged 14.2 (0.0) (mean (SD)) g/dL (range: 13.3 to 15.5 g/dl) over the study with significant changes over time (P = 0.004). Hbmass was 1030 (87) g (range: 842 to 1116 g) with no significant variations over time (P = 0.118), whereas PV was 4309 (350) mL (range: 3688 to 4751 mL) with a time effect observed over the study time (P = 0.014). Higher acute (but not chronic) training loads were associated with significantly decreased Hb (P <0.001). Although individual hematological variations were observed, all ABP variables remained within the individually calculated limits. Our results support that acute training load variations significantly affect [Hb], likely due to short term PV fluctuations, underlining the importance of considering training load when interpreting individual ABP variations for anti-doping purposes.

19The Athlete's Biological Passport (ABP) is a tool for the indirect detection of blood doping. Current 20 guidelines from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) require a delay of 2 hours after any physical 21 exercise and to be seated for 10 minutes prior to any blood sampling to obtain a valid measurement. 22 30 30 min. The results support the current guidelines and additionally provide evidence to adjust the 31 waiting time for blood sampling after short changes in posture. 32