The examination of mental toughness, sleep, mood and injury rates in an Arctic ultra-marathon.

There is scarcity of research examining the physiological and psychological effects of ultra-endurance racing on athletes in extreme conditions. The purpose of the current study was to identify common injury patterns and illness, profile mood states and sleep patterns and finally examine the relationships between mental toughness, sleep, mood and injury rates during a 120 mile, three-day Arctic ultra-marathon. Twelve participants (3 females, 9 males) with a mean age of 42 ± 5.

Injury occurrence and mood states during a desert ultramarathon.

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.