CompletedNot Applicable

Longitudinal Changes in Achilles Tendon and Medial Gastrocnemius Muscle Architecture During a 156-km Ultradistance Trail Running Event

France55 participantsStarted 2021-11-11

Plain-language summary

This study aimed to assess the longitudinal changes in triceps surae muscle-tendon architecture to an ultra distance trail running. Experienced trail runners (N=55, 78% men, age: 45.2 \[13.5\] years) participated in a 156-km trail run (6000m climbing) consisting in six 26-km laps. The resting architectural properties of triceps surae muscle-tendon were measured using ultrasound imaging for Achille tendon cross-sectional area (AT CSA), medial gastrocnemius muscle pennation angle, thickness, length and fiber length. Measurements were performed the day before the race (Baseline), at 52-km (T1), at 104-km (T2), at 156-km (T3) and 12 hours after the race (H12).

Who can participate

Age range25 Years – 70 Years

SexALL

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AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion criteria * Experienced runners voluntarily participating in the Trail Scientifique de Clécy (156 km/6000 D+) * Participants who had already completed 2 ultratrail races (+160 km and -160 km), at least one of them in the past 24 months; the participants had to justify their events and rankings * Participants affiliated with a social security system or those who were a beneficiary of such a system * Participants who could speak and read the French language * Participants with the ability to physically participate in the ultraendurance race * Participants with the ability to provide written consent for participation in the study Exclusion criteria * Participants with cardiac or extracardiac contraindications to intense physical activity * Participants who had run a mountain ultramarathon (160 km) after September 2, 2021 * Pregnant or breastfeeding women * Minor participants * Participants included in another biomedical research protocol during this study * Participants with recent muscular and orthopedic injuries, limiting running for \<15 days * Participants with a history of ankle joint surgery (eg, arthrodesis) * Participants with a history of foot or ankle surgery * Participants with lower-limb pathology or trauma