Limits of Ultra: Towards an Interdisciplinary Understanding of Ultra-Endurance Running Performance

Berger, Nicolas J. A.; Best, Russ; Best, Andrew W.; Lane, Andrew M.; Millet, Guillaume Y.; Barwood, Martin; Marcora, Samuele; Wilson, Patrick; Bearden, Shawn

doi:10.1007/s40279-023-01936-8

Cited by 10 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 189 publications

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“…To cover the same distance, participant 2 presents greater inefficiency in their gait, requiring greater effort. Thus, this circumstance could be related to greater perceived pain and negatively impact performance [53]. Furthermore, we observed a greater sensation of hunger in participant 2.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 66%

Evolutionary Echoes: A Four-Day Fasting and Low-Caloric Intake Study on Autonomic Modulation and Physiological Adaptations in Humans

Belinchón-deMiguel,

Navarro-Jiménez,

Laborde-Cárdenas

et al. 2024

Life

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This study evaluates the psychophysiological response to a simulated hunter–gatherer endurance task with restricted caloric intake over four days. It assesses changes in body composition, autonomic modulation, and physical and cognitive performance. Participants underwent daily 8 h fasted walks followed by a 150 kcal meal to replicate hunter–gatherer activity and dietary patterns. Measurements of metabolic, respiratory, and subjective well-being, along with heart rate variability (HRV) monitoring, were conducted pre- and post-activity to evaluate the impact of endurance activity under caloric restriction. We found weight loss, decreased body and visceral fat, and reduced skeletal muscle mass and water percentage. High sympathetic activation and stable urinary markers, except for increased proteinuria, indicated stress responses and muscular degradation. Elevated perceived exertion post-exercise with good adaptation to prolonged effort underlines the body’s adaptability to ancestral lifestyle conditions, highlighting the connection among endurance, nutrition, and psychophysiological health.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 66%

Evolutionary Echoes: A Four-Day Fasting and Low-Caloric Intake Study on Autonomic Modulation and Physiological Adaptations in Humans

Belinchón-deMiguel,

Navarro-Jiménez,

Laborde-Cárdenas

et al. 2024

Life

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“…Higher doses should be treated with some scepticism, though, as in endurance sports even lower doses require gastro-intestinal training to be well-tolerated [103,112]. Intra-competition feeding should comprise carbohydrates of multiple monosaccharides e.g., glucose and fructose; this permits greater transportation of carbohydrate across the intestinal membrane, increases exogenous carbohydrate oxidation, and lowers the risk of gastro-intestinal distress [113][114][115][116]. The prevalence and severity of gastro-intestinal distress in equestrians are yet to be examined but are hypothesised to vary between disciplines and competition level due to differences in the proportion of time spent in each equine gait and the need to attenuate and accommodate differing forces depending on event technicality and difficulty.…”

Section: Additional Contextmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Physiological Requirements of and Nutritional Recommendations for Equestrian Riders

Best,

Williams,

Pearce

2023

Nutrients

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Equestrian sport is under-researched within the sport science literature, creating a possible knowledge vacuum for athletes and support personnel wishing to train and perform in an evidence-based manner. This review aims to synthesise available evidence from equitation, sport, and veterinary sciences to describe the pertinent rider physiology of equestrian disciplines. Estimates of energy expenditure and the contribution of underpinning energy systems to equestrian performance are used to provide nutrition and hydration recommendations for competition and training in equestrian disciplines. Relative energy deficiency and disordered eating are also considered. The practical challenges of the equestrian environment, including competitive, personal, and professional factors, injury and concussion, and female participation, are discussed to better highlight novelty within equestrian disciplines compared to more commonly studied sports. The evidence and recommendations are supported by example scenarios, and future research directions are outlined.

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Analysis of the 72-h ultramarathon using a predictive XG Boost model

Knechtle,

Villiger,

Weiss

et al. 2024

Sport Sci Health

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Background Ultramarathon running enjoys unwavering popularity. This includes the 72-h run, the longest time-limited ultramarathon based on hours and not days, yet this specific race format remains understudied. In particular, we are still determining where the fastest 72-h ultra-marathoners originate or where the fastest races are held. The aim of the present study was to investigate the origins of the best performers and the locations of the fastest races. Methods A machine learning model based on the XG Boost algorithm was built to predict running speed based on the athlete´s gender, age group, country of origin, the country where the race was held, the kind of race course (road, trail, track), and the elevation (flat, hilly). Model explainability tools were then used to investigate how each independent variable would influence the predicted running speed. Results A total of 2,857 race records from 1,870 unique runners from 36 different countries participating in 55 races held in 22 countries between 1989 and 2022 were analyzed. Athletes from the USA account for more than 2/3 of the sample size. Also, more than 3/4 of the participants competed in USA-based races. Athletes from Ireland, Japan, and Ukraine were the fastest. In respect of the fastest races, they were held in Ukraine, The Netherlands, and Japan. The model rated the country of event as the most important predictor followed by the race characteristics of elevation and race course, athlete country of origin, age group, and gender. On average, men were 0.33 km/h faster than women. The fastest running speeds were achieved by runners in age group 45–49 years. Conclusions The country of the event was found to be the most important predictor in the 72-h run. Despite the dominance of runners from USA and the predominance of courses in the USA in terms of participation, athletes from Ireland, Japan, and Ukraine achieved the fastest times, while Ukraine, The Netherlands, and Japan were found to host the fastest courses.

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Limits of Ultra: Towards an Interdisciplinary Understanding of Ultra-Endurance Running Performance

Cited by 10 publications

References 189 publications

Evolutionary Echoes: A Four-Day Fasting and Low-Caloric Intake Study on Autonomic Modulation and Physiological Adaptations in Humans

Evolutionary Echoes: A Four-Day Fasting and Low-Caloric Intake Study on Autonomic Modulation and Physiological Adaptations in Humans

The Physiological Requirements of and Nutritional Recommendations for Equestrian Riders

Analysis of the 72-h ultramarathon using a predictive XG Boost model

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