Mental Health in Ultra-Endurance Runners: A Systematic Review

Thuany, Mabliny; Viljoen, Carel T.; Gomes, Thayse Natacha; Knechtle, Beat; Scheer, Volker

doi:10.1007/s40279-023-01890-5

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 71 publications

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“…However, it is noteworthy that the proportion we observed in this sample of marathoners was similar to the proportion (25.1%) observed by Bender and colleagues (2018) in the initial validation of the ASSQ within a sample of mixed-sport elite athletes [ 13 ]. Importantly, marathoners represent a unique population of athletes that are likely vulnerable to sleep-related issues due largely to training demands [ 18 ], but also due to frequent, nagging injuries and—at times—psychological factors [ 19 , 20 ]. These athletes generally are not professional, which means that they often have other occupational, academic, social, and familial responsibilities that put major constraints on available hours to train across the day.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…First, these individuals may have had “orthosomnia” tendencies, whereby they were putting greater efforts into their sleep that often results in degraded sleep quality. Considering that marathoners (and endurance athletes broadly) often are hyperattentive to training and lifestyle details, these individuals may be at heightened risk for orthosomnia tendencies [ 19 ]. Yet, it is also possible that the utilized devices were providing inaccurate estimations of sleep quantity and quality, which could have negatively biased these marathoners’ perceptions of sleep quality.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sleep Health, Individual Characteristics, Lifestyle Factors, and Marathon Completion Time in Marathon Runners: A Retrospective Investigation of the 2016 London Marathon

Cook,

Gratton,

Bender

et al. 2023

Brain Sciences

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Despite sleep health being critically important for athlete performance and well-being, sleep health in marathoners is understudied. This foundational study explored relations between sleep health, individual characteristics, lifestyle factors, and marathon completion time. Data were obtained from the 2016 London Marathon participants. Participants completed the Athlete Sleep Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ) along with a brief survey capturing individual characteristics and lifestyle factors. Sleep health focused on the ASSQ sleep difficulty score (SDS) and its components. Linear regression computed relations among sleep, individual, lifestyle, and marathon variables. The analytic sample (N = 943) was mostly male (64.5%) and young adults (66.5%). A total of 23.5% of the sample reported sleep difficulties (SDS ≥ 8) at a severity warranting follow-up with a trained sleep provider. Middle-aged adults generally reported significantly worse sleep health characteristics, relative to young adults, except young adults reported significantly longer sleep onset latency (SOL). Sleep tracker users reported worse sleep satisfaction. Pre-bedtime electronic device use was associated with longer SOL and longer marathon completion time, while increasing SOL was also associated with longer marathon completion. Our results suggest a deleterious influence of pre-bedtime electronic device use and sleep tracker use on sleep health in marathoners. Orthosomnia may be a relevant factor in the relationship between sleep tracking and sleep health for marathoners.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sleep Health, Individual Characteristics, Lifestyle Factors, and Marathon Completion Time in Marathon Runners: A Retrospective Investigation of the 2016 London Marathon

Cook,

Gratton,

Bender

et al. 2023

Brain Sciences

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Prevalence, severity, and predictors of self-reported depression in ultra-distance runners: An online survey based on 265 athletes.

Niering,

Klass,

Wolf-Belala

et al. 2024

Injury

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Psychological aspects of the longest, solo, unsupported one-way polar ski expedition in Antarctica by a female adventurer

Scheer,

Chandi,

Valero Burgos

et al. 2024

BMJ Mil Health

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IntroductionAntarctic expeditions present exceptional physiological and mental challenges. Research data are lacking on psychological aspects of such endeavours. The aim of our study is to provide data on changes in mood, well-being, personality traits and personal experiences during an Antarctica crossing.MethodsThis is a study of a 33-year-old female British Army officer (height 175 cm; weight 75 kg; body mass index 24.49 kg/m2; VO2max49 mL/kg/min) who completed the longest, solo, unsupported, one-way polar ski expedition. The expedition started at Hercules Inlet and finished at Ross Ice Shelf, lasting 70 days and 16 hours covering 1484.53 km, with temperatures estimating from −12°C to −50°C and wind speeds of up to 60 miles per hour. The adventurer pulled all equipment and nutrition in a pulk (sled), weighing approximately 120 kg. Five psychometric questionnaires were completed pre post and during the expedition, including the International Personality Item Pool – Neuroticism, Extraversion and Openness-60, Brief Assessment of Mood, Positive and Negative Affective Schedule, Profile of Mood States, Wellness questionnaire, as well as an unstructured open questionnaire.ResultsMood generally deteriorated, particularly positive affective mood. Scores for fatigue and muscle soreness increased, with a reduction in sleep times. Personality traits of openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness remained stable throughout the expedition, with some reduction in extraversion and an increase in neuroticism. Personal accounts give a unique insight into the increasing demands on the mental and physical impact of the expedition.ConclusionsMeticulous preparation and planning may have led to a successful expedition, including physical preparation, prior on-field experience, and psychological preparedness and resiliance. Some of these strategies may be applicable to a range of settings, including future Antarctic expeditions, expeditions in extreme environments, or missions within a military context.

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Mental Health in Ultra-Endurance Runners: A Systematic Review

Cited by 4 publications

References 71 publications

Sleep Health, Individual Characteristics, Lifestyle Factors, and Marathon Completion Time in Marathon Runners: A Retrospective Investigation of the 2016 London Marathon

Sleep Health, Individual Characteristics, Lifestyle Factors, and Marathon Completion Time in Marathon Runners: A Retrospective Investigation of the 2016 London Marathon

Prevalence, severity, and predictors of self-reported depression in ultra-distance runners: An online survey based on 265 athletes.

Psychological aspects of the longest, solo, unsupported one-way polar ski expedition in Antarctica by a female adventurer

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