Comparing fatigue and recovery in trail running versus marathon running

Fatigue and Recovery: a Comparison Between Trail and Marathon

NA · Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Saint Etienne · NCT06282341

This study is testing how fatigue and recovery differ between trail running and marathon running for endurance runners aged 18-55.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment90 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 55 Years
SexAll
SponsorCentre Hospitalier Universitaire de Saint Etienne (other)
Locations1 site (Saint-Étienne)
Trial IDNCT06282341 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to compare the levels of fatigue and recovery experienced by endurance runners participating in trail running and marathon events. It will involve endurance runners aged 18-55 who regularly run at least 20 km per week and have completed a marathon or trail race in the past three years. Participants will undergo simulated marathon and trail races to assess the physiological and biomechanical differences in fatigue and recovery between the two disciplines. The findings could help improve training specificity and reduce injury risks for runners.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are male or female endurance runners aged 18-55 who regularly run at least 20 km per week and have completed a marathon or a 30 km trail race in the last three years.

Not a fit: Patients with chronic cardiac or joint pathologies, or those who have neurological disorders, may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide valuable insights to enhance training methods and recovery strategies for endurance runners.

How similar studies have performed: While some studies have explored fatigue and recovery in endurance sports, this direct comparison between trail and marathon running is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

Common for MARASIM, TRAILSIM and TRAILNAT:

* Male or female
* 18-55 years old
* Endurance runners who run at least one running session of 20 km per week
* Being able to run a marathon under 5 h or finishing a trail of 30 km during the last 3 years
* Refrain from participating to a competition one month before the first visit and during the duration of the study
* To have a medical certificate of no contraindication of running practise in competition
* Registered with a social security scheme
* Having given the written consent freely

Specific for the 3 groups :

* Specialist of trail running (TRAILSIM and TRAILNAT)
* Specialist of road running (MARASIM)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Subjects who present cardiac or articular chronic pathologies (example: repeated sprain, patellar or joint problems)
* Subjects who present chronic or central neurological pathologies
* Subjects deprived of liberty or who should be legally deprived
* Subjects who report to take forbidden products by the World Anti-Doping Agency
* pregnant or breastfeeding woman

Where this trial is running

Saint-Étienne

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Healthy, Running, Marathon, Trail, Fatigue

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.