Abstract
ObjectiveAlthough research on the physiological and psychological factors of endurance performance has been extensive, the factors related to dropping out of ultra-trail races have not been well documented. The aim of this study was to examine psychosocial factors as predictors of dropout in ultra-trail runners.MethodsTwo hundred and twenty-one volunteer athletes completed a survey that included measures of: (a) motivational variables (self-determined motivation, basic needs satisfaction, achievement goals), (b) theory of planned behavior constructs (attitudes, subjective norms, self-efficacy and intention to finish the race), and (c) coping strategies in sport.ResultsThe results showed that finishers had higher scores for self-efficacy and intention to finish the race than withdrawers, whereas withdrawers had higher scores for avoidance coping. Multiple logistic regression showed that the number of started and finished ultra-trail races (OR, 0.44; 95% CI 0.22–0.88; p<0.02), self-efficacy (OR, 2.03; 95% CI 1.06–3.89; p<0.04), intention to finish the race (OR, 0.34; 95% CI 0.16–0.71; p<0.004), mastery-approach goals (OR, 0.56; 95% CI 0.31–1.00; p<0.05), and coping strategies of seeking social support (OR, 0.43; 95% CI 0.26–0.71; p<0.001) were associated with a lower risk of race dropout, whereas avoidance coping strategies (OR, 2.26; 95% CI 1.46–3.52; p<0.001) were associated with an increased dropout rate.ConclusionInterventions promoting self-efficacy constructs and specific coping strategies might contribute to preventing dropout in ultra-trailers.
Highlights
In the last few decades, ultra-trail races have become very attractive for a wide range of athletes, from elite athletes to recreational runners, and participation in the popular ultra-races has grown remarkably [1]
The results showed that finishers had higher scores for self-efficacy and intention to finish the race than withdrawers, whereas withdrawers had higher scores for avoidance coping
Multiple logistic regression showed that the number of started and finished ultra-trail races (OR, 0.44; 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.22–0.88; p
Summary
In the last few decades, ultra-trail races have become very attractive for a wide range of athletes, from elite athletes to recreational runners, and participation in the popular ultra-races has grown remarkably [1]. Due to a typical duration of more than 6 hours, it is considered an ultra-endurance sports event [2] and athletes must push their bodies beyond the ordinary limits [3]. In addition to age considerations, ultra-endurance performance requires both physical and mental abilities [11], especially in ultra-trailing, where the dropout rate can reach 50% depending on the race (e.g., “Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc” [12], “Grand Raid de la Reunion” [13]). The evidence suggests that ultra-endurance athletes who compete in events lasting up to several days must cope with a number of acute physiological and psychological factors [14, 15, 16, 17]. Ultra-endurance athletes routinely must face such challenges as insufficient energy intake [18, 19], dehydration [20], elevated biomarkers of sympathetic stress [21] and cardiac damage [22], sleep deprivation [18, 23, 24], the accompanying alterations in emotional states [25], and intense unwanted emotions [16, 26]
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