title: Substance use and misuse in a mountain ultramarathon: new insight into ultrarunners population?
abstract: Endurance and ultra-endurance events have become increasingly popular. The aim of our study was to explore the use of medication among endurance runners participating in the 2014 Infernal Trail des Vosges. Among the 389 runners engaged, 297 (76.3%) completed a specific questionnaire dealing with substance use/misuse. Our results show a 27% (before the race) and 18% (during the race) prevalence of substance use. The two major classes of substances used were non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs; 9.8%) and painkillers (6.7%), principally because of osteo-articular pain (29.6%) or to prevent pain (28.2%). A positive correlation was found between substance consumption before (past month) and during the race (overall medication: p < 0.0001; NSAIDs: p = 0.008). Our results could be explained by the specific characteristics of ultrarunners predominantly motivated by personal achievement and general health (recreational approach). However, education interventions should further be delivered regarding the risks of substance use in ultra-endurance events.
authors.affiliation: a Department of General Practice , Maison de Santé des Trois Monts , Dommartin-les-Remiremont , France.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Didier
authors.affiliation: a Department of General Practice , Maison de Santé des Trois Monts , Dommartin-les-Remiremont , France.
authors.forename: Jean-Charles
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Vauthier
authors.affiliation: b Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology , CHRU Nancy , Nancy , France.
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gambier
authors.affiliation: c Department of Pulmonary Function Testing and Exercise Physiology , CHRU Nancy , Nancy , France.
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Renaud
authors.affiliation: c Department of Pulmonary Function Testing and Exercise Physiology , CHRU Nancy , Nancy , France.|d EA 3450 DevAH - Development, Adaptation and Disadvantage, Cardiorespiratory regulations and motor control , Université de Lorraine , Nancy , France.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chenuel
authors.affiliation: c Department of Pulmonary Function Testing and Exercise Physiology , CHRU Nancy , Nancy , France.|d EA 3450 DevAH - Development, Adaptation and Disadvantage, Cardiorespiratory regulations and motor control , Université de Lorraine , Nancy , France.
authors.forename: Mathias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Poussel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059352:Musculoskeletal Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012420:Running; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
keywords: Ultra-endurance; attitude; endurance exercise; ultramarathon