Backyard running: Pushing the boundaries of human performance

• Published in: European journal of sport science 2024-10, Vol.24 (10), p.1432-1441
• Main Authors: De Pauw, Kevin, Ampe, T., Arauz, Y. L. Arenales, Galloo, X., Buyse, L., Olieslagers, M., Demuyser, T., Corlùy, H., Lamarti, S., Provyn, S., Jones, A. M., Meeusen, R., Roelands, B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; APPLIED SPORT SCIENCE; Athletic Performance - physiology; backyard running; Cognition - physiology; cognitive performance; endurance performance; Heart Rate - physiology; Humans; Lactic Acid - blood; Male; Middle Aged; Original Paper; Oxygen Consumption - physiology; Physical Endurance - physiology; Physical Exertion - physiology; physiological resilience; Running - physiology; ultra‐running
• ISSN: 1746-1391; 1536-7290; 1536-7290
• DOI: 10.1002/ejsc.12190

Ultrarunning is gaining in popularity but no information is available on the physiological and psychological responses during backyard ultrarunning events. The aim of this study was to determine changes in cognitive function, markers of physiological resilience, and running performance during a backyard‐running event. Twelve male ultrarunners (38 ± 8 years old, BMI: 23.5 ± 1.6 kg/m2, and VO2max: 60.8 ± 4.7 mL/min/kg) were monitored before, during, and after the event. Cognitive performance was determined using a cognitive test battery before, during, and after the event. During the event, the rating of perceived exertion (RPE), blood lactate concentration, and heart rate (HR) were assessed. Physical performance was investigated using the total number of completed laps and running speed per lap. Athletes completed 34 ± 17 laps equaling 227.8 ± 113.9 km with average speeds starting at 9.0 km/h and slowing down to 7.5 km/h at the end of the event. Physiological resilience (estimated using HR/speed) varied between athletes, with significantly lower values in the more proficient backyard runners at the end of the event (p