Citation

Graham SM, McKinley M, Chris CC, Westbury T, Baker J, Kilgore L, Florida-James G. Clin. J. Sport. Med. 2012; 22(6): 462-466.

Affiliation

*Department of Sport, Health and Exercise, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, Scotland †School of Life, Sport and Social Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, Scotland ‡School of Social and Health Sciences, University of Abertay, Dundee City, Scotland.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine, Publisher Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/JSM.0b013e3182694734

PMID

23047728

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:: To describe injuries and illnesses presented and profile mood states and sleep patterns during a desert environment ultramarathon. DESIGN:: Prospective study gathering data on mood states and injury patterns. SETTING:: Gobi Desert, Mongolia. PARTICIPANTS:: Eleven male competitors (mean mass 83.7 ± 7.1 kg; body mass index 24 ± 1.79 kg/m, age: 33 ± 11 years). INTERVENTIONS:: Injuries were clinically assessed and recorded each day. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:: Mood state was assessed using the Brunel Mood Scale. RESULTS:: All subjects presented with abrasion injuries, dehydration, and heat stress. Vigor decreased over the first 6 days while fatigue increased (P < 0.05). Fatigue and vigor recovered on the final morning. The observed recovery was set against increasing levels of depression, tension, and confusion, which peaked at days 5/6 but returned to day 1 levels on the 7th day morning (P < 0.05). Mean sleep duration (6:17 ± 00:48 hours:minutes; lowest on day 6, 4:43 ± 01:54 hours:minutes) did not vary significantly across the 7 days but did correlate with mood alterations (P < 0.05). Increased anger and fatigue correlated strongly with sleep disruption (r = 0.736 and 0.768, respectively). Vigor and depression displayed a moderately strong correlation to sleep (r = 0.564 and -0.530). CONCLUSIONS:: Injury patterns were similar to those reported in other adventure/ultradistance events. Consistent with previous work, data show increased fatigue and reduced vigor in response to an arduous physical challenge.

Language: en