Title: Fatigue in Ultramarathon Running: Relationships between race distance, performance, and countermovement jump force-time characteristics
Supervisor: Dr. Darren Warburton
Committee members: Dr. Michael Koehle, Dr. Andrew Perrotta
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Mountain Ultramarathons lie on the extreme end of endurance sport duration. Extended exercise and strenuous events can be useful models of health and the effects of fatigue. With ultramarathon participation increasing in recent years, there is a need for more research on factors that influence ultramarathon performance and the potential effects of completing an ultramarathon on the musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems. PURPOSE: This study investigates the relationship between neuromuscular fatigue and ultramarathon performance. METHODS: Runners will be recruited from the FatDog 120 Trail Race, an ultramarathon race in British Columbia, Canada. Runners will be examined before and after ultra-endurance mountain races of 40, 50, 70, and 120 miles. Musculoskeletal/neuromuscular function will be assessed through countermovement jumps on a force platform, measuring jump height, rate of force development, and coordination of jump phases. Changes from pre-race to post-race will be determined for each test, and a regression analysis between the force-time characteristics of jumps and the relationship to finishing time and jump height will be reported. Group effects of sex and race distance will be reported for potential differences in concentric force, rate of force development, and braking force during the countermovement jump. It is hypothesized that lesser change in jump variables from pre-post will be associated with a faster finishing time, with no differences in fatigue between distances. OUTCOMES: This study will provide valuable information for those performing ultramarathons and the effects of fatigue on the performance of ultrarunners, with implications for training.