Chorioretinal Imaging and Vascular Biomarkers in Ultra-Trail Runners
Official title: Chorioretinal Imaging, Vascular Biomarkers, and Ultra-Trail: A Pilot Study
Run by Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon · NCT07748936 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests whether noninvasive eye imaging can reveal retinal and choroidal blood vessel changes in ultra-trail runners compared with active controls.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Dijon) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | October 2, 2026 |
| Main results expected | February 2027 |
| Study ends | February 2027 |
| Registry record updated | October 7, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07748936 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults enrolled in the 100-km ultra-trail, able to consent, and meeting activity criteria for the control group.
✕Probably not a fit
Individuals unable to participate due to eye, systemic, or vascular exclusions or who do not experience measurable ocular changes.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
The study uses OCT angiography and retinal imaging to measure microvascular density in the retina and choroid before and within 11 to 24 hours after an ultra-trail event. Participants include runners registered for a 100-km solo race and active controls with matched activity levels. Imaging is performed in both eyes without dilation at two timepoints, to explore how intense endurance exercise may alter ocular microcirculation and how these changes relate to systemic hemodynamics. The trial is conducted at Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon, with primary assessment focused on detecting acute, reversible vascular changes following strenuous activity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could help identify ocular biomarkers that reflect systemic vascular health and exercise-related physiological stress.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests retinal vascular changes can reflect systemic hemodynamics, but this specific ultra-endurance and two-timepoint imaging approach is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Participant who has given free, informed, and verbal consent * Participant of legal age * Participant registered for the UTMA 100 km solo ultra-trail race (for the "ultra-trail" group) * Active subject not exposed to intense physical exertion (\>6 hours of exercise) within the 7 days prior to the enrollment visit (for the "active control" group) * Participant with an estimated physical activity level of 4-6 hours per week (for the "active control" group) * Participant agreeing to undergo ophthalmological examinations on the same schedule as the ultra-trail group (for the "active control" group) Exclusion Criteria: * Myopia \> 6 diopters * Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes * Protected individuals: Minors, individuals under legal protection (guardianship, conservatorship, court order), individuals unable to give informed consent * Individuals not enrolled in a social security program * Pregnant or breastfeeding women * Participants with a systemic or inflammatory vascular condition and cardiovascular risk * Participants with an ocular condition or ophthalmological history likely to impair retinal/choroidal microcirculation or the quality of imaging (vascular and degenerative macular conditions, cataracts) * Participants being treated with vasoconstrictors * Tobacco use within 4 hours prior to enrollment * Caffeine consumption within 1 hour prior to enrollment
Where it's running
-
Chu Dijon Bourgogne
Dijon, France Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Louis ARNOULD, Pr
- Email: Louis.arnould@chu-dijon.fr
- Phone: 03.80.29.34.53
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Best way to fix under‑expanded coronary stents in resistant blockages
This compares intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) with high‑pressure or specialty balloons to see if IVL opens under‑expanded coronary stents better in people with in‑stent restenosis.
-
Photon-counting CT with intracoronary imaging for detailed coronary plaque characterization
This will test whether ultra–high-resolution photon-counting CT can reliably characterize coronary plaque compared with OCT and IVUS in adults with acute or chronic coronary syndrome, including patients with suspected in-stent restenosis or prior PCI for chronic total occlusion.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.