Psychological effects of running an 80-km ultra-endurance race
A Study of the Psychological Impact of an 80-km Ultra-Endurance Event
Centre Hospitalier Régional d'Orléans · NCT07522307
We will see if runners' emotions, emotional intelligence, regulation strategies, and heart-rate patterns before, during, and after an 80-km ultra-trail relate to performance and fatigue in adult participants.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 80 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Centre Hospitalier Régional d'Orléans (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Orléans, Loiret) |
| Trial ID | NCT07522307 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a descriptive, non-interventional longitudinal study using repeated self-report questionnaires on a tablet administered before the race, at kilometers 25, 38, 48, and 56, and at the 80 km finish. It combines subjective measures of emotions, emotional intelligence, regulation strategies, and defense mechanisms with continuous heart-rate data from participants' smartwatches. Participants are healthy adult runners entered in the Ecotrail de Paris Ile de France 80 km on March 21, 2026. Repeated-measures analyses will examine emotional trajectories and their associations with perceived exertion, fatigue, and race performance.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults registered for the Ecotrail de Paris 80 km who can wear a heart-rate–capable smartwatch and complete tablet questionnaires before and at specified points during the race.
Not a fit: People not registered for the race, those under legal guardianship or deprived of liberty, those without a compatible smartwatch, or those unable to complete in-race questionnaires are unlikely to benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could identify psychological patterns that predict excessive fatigue or poorer performance and inform mental-preparation or support strategies for ultra-runners.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has linked higher emotional intelligence and adaptive regulation to better emotional trajectories and performance in endurance contexts, but in-race longitudinal data with multiple checkpoints remain limited.
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 * Smartwatch capable of measuring heart rate and transmitting this data * Participation in the "Ecotrail de Paris Ile de France 80 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 * Persons not enrolled in a social security system
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.
Conditions: Healthy Adult Participants, Ultra endurance, Running, Psychological, Impact