title: Injury occurrence and mood states during a desert ultramarathon.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe injuries and illnesses presented and profile mood states and sleep patterns during a desert environment ultramarathon.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study gathering data on mood states and injury patterns.
  
  
  METHODS
  : Gobi Desert, Mongolia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven male competitors (mean mass, 83.7 ± 7.1 kg; body mass index, 24 ± 1.79 kg/m; age, 33 ± 11 years).
  
  
  METHODS
  Injuries were clinically assessed and recorded each day.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport, Health and Exercise, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, Scotland. scottmurray.graham@uws.ac.uk
authors.forename: Scott M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: Mairi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McKinley
authors.forename: Connaboy C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chris
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Westbury
authors.forename: Julien S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: Lon
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kilgore
authors.forename: Geraint
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Florida-James
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000502:physiology*; D000786:Anger / Q000502:physiology; D003221:Confusion / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D003889:Desert Climate / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008986:Mongolia; D018763:Muscle Fatigue / Q000502:physiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012420:Running / Q000293:injuries* / Q000523:psychology*; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000502:physiology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult