Psychological effects of a 120-km ultra-endurance race
A Study of the Psychological Impact of an 120-km Ultra-Endurance Event
This project will test how emotions, emotional regulation, and defense mechanisms change during a 120-km ultra-endurance race in healthy adult runners.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 80 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Centre Hospitalier Régional d'Orléans Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Orléans, Loiret) |
| Trial ID | NCT07522333 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a descriptive, non-interventional longitudinal study of healthy, able-bodied adult participants running the Ecotrail de Paris Ile de France 120 km on March 21, 2026. Participants will complete self-administered questionnaires on a tablet before the race, at set points during the race (kilometers 16, 41, 56, 68, 89, and 112) and at the finish (120 km) while heart rate data are captured via participants' smartwatches. The measures focus on emotional trajectories, emotional intelligence, regulation strategies, and defense mechanisms to characterize how psychological factors evolve under extreme prolonged exertion. Data will be analyzed descriptively to identify patterns of adaptive and maladaptive emotional responses and their relation to performance and fatigue.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy adults (≥18 years) registered to run the Ecotrail de Paris 120 km who consent to complete tablet questionnaires and wear a smartwatch that transmits heart rate data.
Not a fit: People with significant chronic medical conditions, pregnant or breastfeeding women, those not enrolled in the race, or those unable to use a smartwatch or complete the questionnaires are unlikely to benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help tailor psychological support and coping strategies for ultra-endurance runners to improve well-being and performance.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has linked emotional intelligence and regulation to endurance performance, but continuous in-race longitudinal sampling across a full 120-km ultra-marathon is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Individuals who have agreed to participate in the study * Age ≥ 18 years * Smartwatch capable of measuring heart rate and transmitting this data * Subject with no significant medical history (chronic pulmonary disease, heart disease contraindicating Class IIIC exercise according to the Bethesda classification, pharmacologically treated hypertension, or significant chronic inflammatory disease) * Participation in the "Ecotrail de Paris Ile de France 120 kilometers" ultra trail taking place on March 21, 2026. Exclusion Criteria: * Persons under legal guardianship or conservatorship * Persons under judicial protection * Persons deprived of liberty * Persons not enrolled in a social security system * Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding at the time of enrollment
Where this trial is running
Orléans, Loiret
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire d'Orléans — Orléans, Loiret, France (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Romain JOUFFROY, Pr
- Email: romain.jouffroy@chu-orleans.fr
- Phone: +33238651561
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.