Multidisciplinary Analysis of Differences Between Finisher and Non-finisher Ultra-Endurance Mountain Athletes.

Pedro Belinchón-Demiguel,Thomas Rosemann,Vicente Javier Clemente-Suárez,Pantelis T Nikolaidis,Beat Knechtle,Athanasios A Dalamitros,José Francisco Tornero-Aguilera

doi:10.3389/fphys.2019.01507

Abstract

Ultra-endurance races are one of the most physically and psychologically demanding sports, depending performance on several elements. The aims of the present study were (i) to analyze differences in selected psychophysiological parameters between finisher and non-finisher ultra-endurance mountain athletes, and (ii) to analyze modifications in psychophysiological parameters before and after an ultra-endurance mountain event. Selected psychophysiological variables were assessed in 46 finishers and 24 non-finishers in two over 100 km ultra-endurance races were examined. We found how an ultra-endurance mountain race produced dehydration, a decrease in systolic blood pressure, weight and leg strength muscle values, as well as an increase in heart rate and rate of perceived exertion values. Finishers presented lower systolic blood pressure, weight, body mass index, half marathon time and fluid intake before competition day compared to non-finishers. In addition, body mass index, pre-race hydration, and performance in lower distance races were predictors of performance in these ultra-endurance mountain races.

Highlights

Ultra-endurance mountain events are increasing their popularity and the number of participants, showing an exponential increase in recent years (Knechtle et al, 2009b)
Psychophysiological Response and Performance Predictors that low body fat percentage is a key success factor in ultraendurance events (Barandun et al, 2012), as well as describing acute physiological effects showing increased protein catabolism and muscle breakdown (Jamart et al, 2012), and autonomic sympathetic modulation (Valenzano et al, 2016). These extreme events can produce increased creatinine kinase and urea concentrations, due to muscle destruction and catabolic status of athletes (Marklund et al, 2013), blood lactate values related to the anaerobic threshold (ClementeSuarez, 2015), sustained hemoglobin levels due to increased erythropoiesis in order to compensate for exercise-induced hemolysis (Schumacher et al, 2002)
Significant differences were found between finishers and nonfinishers, regarding the half marathon time, in where finishers had significant lower time

Summary

Introduction

Ultra-endurance mountain events are increasing their popularity and the number of participants, showing an exponential increase in recent years (Knechtle et al, 2009b). Psychophysiological Response and Performance Predictors that low body fat percentage is a key success factor in ultraendurance events (Barandun et al, 2012), as well as describing acute physiological effects showing increased protein catabolism and muscle breakdown (Jamart et al, 2012), and autonomic sympathetic modulation (Valenzano et al, 2016) These extreme events can produce increased creatinine kinase and urea concentrations, due to muscle destruction and catabolic status of athletes (Marklund et al, 2013), blood lactate values related to the anaerobic threshold (ClementeSuarez, 2015), sustained hemoglobin levels due to increased erythropoiesis in order to compensate for exercise-induced hemolysis (Schumacher et al, 2002). Athletes have a significant anxiogenic response, expressed by the levels of post-exercise cortisol values (Nicolas et al, 2011), fact related with the metabolic response in these extreme events

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Results

Conclusion