Healthy Adult ParticipantsPSYTRAIL-80NCT07522307
Psychological Impact of an 80-km Ultra-Endurance Race
An observational study of Healthy Adult Participants, run by Centre Hospitalier Régional d'Orléans at 1 site in France.
Trial summary
Ultra-endurance races (ultra-marathons) take place under extreme environmental conditions, over long distances, involving prolonged physical activity and multiple psychological and physiological challenges. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Healthy Adult Participants
- What is being tested?
- Completion on a tablet of self-administered questionnaires about their emotions/feelings before, during (kilometers 25, 38, 48, and 56), and at the finish line (80th kilometer)
- Type of treatment
- Pill or oral medicine
- How many people
- 12 participants
- Where
- 1 siteFrance
- Study dates
- 21 Mar 2026to 21 Mar 2026
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: Healthy, able-bodied participants of both sexes, participating to the "Ecotrail de Paris Ile de France 80 kilometers" ultra-trail race taking place on March 21, 2026
Who may be able to join
- Individuals who have agreed to participate in the study
- Age ≥ 18 years
- Smartwatch capable of measuring heart rate and transmitting this data
- Smartwatch capable of measuring heart rate and transmitting this data
- Participation in the "Ecotrail de Paris Ile de France 80 kilometers" ultra trail taking place on March 21, 2026.
Who cannot join
- Persons under legal guardianship or conservatorship
- Persons under judicial protection
- Persons deprived of liberty
- Persons not enrolled in a social security system
- Persons not enrolled in a social security system
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: A Study of the Psychological Impact of an 80-km Ultra-Endurance Event
Ultra-endurance races (ultra-marathons) take place under extreme environmental conditions, over long distances, involving prolonged physical activity and multiple psychological and physiological challenges.
These extreme conditions expose runners to a wide range of emotions-both pleasant and unpleasant-that can influence their performance, fatigue, and perception of exertion.
Read more
Emotional intelligence and emotional regulation appear to be key determinants of emotional trajectories and performance in these contexts. Previous research shows that high levels of emotional intelligence and adaptive emotional regulation strategies are associated with functional emotional trajectories and better performance, whereas maladaptive strategies are linked to dysfunctional emotional trajectories and reduced performance.
Furthermore, defense mechanisms constitute a complementary approach to emotional self-regulation. They can be adaptive or maladaptive and influence how runners cope with emotions and psychological stressors during competition.
Longitudinal studies conducted to date have primarily explored post-race emotional trajectories in relation to emotional intelligence, without examining the impact of defense mechanisms on emotional dynamics during the race. Furthermore, few studies have examined the mediating role of emotional intensity between emotional regulation and perceived performance, and even fewer have adopted an approach that integrates physiological indicators such as heart rate or heart rate variability.
Thus, this study lies at the intersection of sports psychology, emotion, and physiology, and aims to fill these gaps by exploring:
- the influence of defense mechanisms on emotional dynamics and physical and mental fatigue during an ultra-endurance race, and
- the mediating role of emotional intensity on the relationship between emotional regulation and perceived performance.
The objective of this study is to examine how certain psychological mechanisms used to cope with difficult situations influence the evolution of emotions experienced by participants during and after an 80-kilometer ultra-endurance race.
Read the detailed description
A descriptive, non-interventional, longitudinal exploratory study of healthy, able-bodied participants of both sexes, based on the completion of self-administered questionnaires on a tablet before, during (kilometers 25, 38, 48, and 56) and at the finish line (80th kilometer) of the "Ecotrail de Paris Ile de France 80 kilometers" ultra-trail race taking place on March 21, 2026
- Conditions
- Healthy Adult Participants
- Being tested
- Completion on a tablet of self-administered questionnaires about their emotions/feelings before, during (kilometers 25, 38, 48, and 56), and at the finish line (80th kilometer)
- Keywords
- Ultra endurance, Running, Psychological, Impact
- Medical subject headings
- Tooth, Impacted
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Completion on a tablet of self-administered questionnaires about their emotions/feelings before, during (kilometers 25, 38, 48, and 56), and at the finish line (80th kilometer)Other
Completion on a tablet of self-administered questionnaires about their emotions/feelings before, during (kilometers 25, 38, 48, and 56), and at the finish line (80th kilometer) of the "Ecotrail de Paris Ile de France 80 kilometers" ultra-trail race taking place on March 21, 2026.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Healthy, able-bodied participants of both sexes, participating to the "Ecotrail de Paris Ile de Fran | Not described Receives: Other: Completion on a tablet of self-administered questionnaires about their emotions/feelings before, during (kilometers 25, 38, 48, and 56), and at the finish line (80th kilometer) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Defense mechanisms will be assessed before the race using the Defense Style Questionnaire - 26 (DSQ-26). Emotional intensity will be assessed before the race, during the race (at the 25-, 38-, 48-, and 56-kilometer marks), and at the finish line.
Defense Style Questionnaire - 26 (DSQ-26). Scale from 1 to 6, with 1 being "never" and 6 "always".
Measured: Before, during (kilometers 25, 38, 48, and 56), and at the finish line (80th kilometer) of the "Ecotrail de Paris Ile de France 80 kilometers" ultra-trail race taking place on March 21, 2026.
Secondary outcomes (3)
Evaluation of physical and mental fatigue before, during and after the race
Physical and mental fatigue will be assessed before the race, during the race (at the 25-, 38-, 48-, and 56-kilometer marks), and at the finish line (80-kilometer mark) using a visual analog scale. Scale from 0 to 10 with 10 being the worst score.
Measured: Before, during (kilometers 25, 38, 48, and 56), and at the finish line (80th kilometer) of the "Ecotrail de Paris Ile de France 80 kilometers" ultra-trail race taking place on March 21, 2026.
Exploration of the relationships between emotional regulation strategies and runnners' perceived performance
Emotional regulation will be assessed before the race using the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ). Scale from 1 to 5 with 1 being "never" and 5 being "always".
Perceived performance will be measured using a performance satisfaction item during the race (kilometers 25, 38, 48, and 56) and at the finish line (80th kilometer).
Measured: Before, during (kilometers 25, 38, 48, and 56), and at the finish line (80th kilometer) of the "Ecotrail de Paris Ile de France 80 kilometers" ultra-trail race taking place on March 21, 2026.
Exploration of emotion regulation strategies and runners' perceived exertion
Perceived exertion will be assessed using the perceived exertion scale (Borg CR10 - modified version) during the race (at 25, 38, 48, and 56 kilometers) and at the finish line (80th kilometer). Scale from 1 to 10 with 10 being the worst score.
Measured: Before, during (kilometers 25, 38, 48, and 56), and at the finish line (80th kilometer) of the "Ecotrail de Paris Ile de France 80 kilometers" ultra-trail race taking place on March 21, 2026.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted13 Apr 2026
- Study start21 Mar 2026
- Primary completion21 Mar 2026
- Study completion21 Mar 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (9)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Healthy Adult ParticipantsStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 12 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Centre Hospitalier Régional d'Orléans
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07522307
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- CHUO-2026-01
- Acronym
- PSYTRAIL-80
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 30 Mar 2026
- Last updated
- 26 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Publications
Alquraini H, Auchus RJ. Strategies that athletes use to avoid detection of androgenic-anabolic steroid doping and sanctions. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2018 Mar 15;464:28-33. doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2017.01.028. Epub 2017 Jan 24.
PubMed 28130115Karlsson EM, Johnstone LT, Carey DP. The depth and breadth of multiple perceptual asymmetries in right handers and non-right handers. Laterality. 2019 Nov;24(6):707-739. doi: 10.1080/1357650X.2019.1652308. Epub 2019 Aug 9.
PubMed 31399020Ivarsson A, Andersen MB, Stenling A, Johnson U, Lindwall M. Things we still haven't learned (so far). J Sport Exerc Psychol. 2015 Aug;37(4):449-61. doi: 10.1123/jsep.2015-0015.
PubMed 26442774Bowins B. Psychological defense mechanisms: a new perspective. Am J Psychoanal. 2004 Mar;64(1):1-26. doi: 10.1023/B:TAJP.0000017989.72521.26.
PubMed 14993839Bond M. Empirical studies of defense style: relationships with psychopathology and change. Harv Rev Psychiatry. 2004 Sep-Oct;12(5):263-78. doi: 10.1080/10673220490886167.
PubMed 15590575Cece V, Lienhart N, Nicaise V, Guillet-Descas E, Martinent G. Longitudinal Sport Motivation Among Young Athletes in Intensive Training Settings: Using Methodological Advances to Explore Temporal Structure of Youth Behavioral Regulation in Sport Questionnaire Scores. J Sport Exerc Psychol. 2019 Feb 1;41(1):24-35. doi: 10.1123/jsep.2017-0194. Epub 2019 Mar 25.
PubMed 30909847Levillain G, Martinent G, Nicolas M. Longitudinal trajectories of intensity and direction of emotions among athletes in sports competitions: do defense mechanisms matter? Anxiety Stress Coping. 2025 Jul;38(4):379-393. doi: 10.1080/10615806.2024.2394800. Epub 2024 Aug 30.
PubMed 39211985Pearson H. Physiology: freaks of nature? Nature. 2006 Dec 21;444(7122):1000-1. doi: 10.1038/4441000a. No abstract available.
PubMed 17183290Noakes TD. The limits of endurance exercise. Basic Res Cardiol. 2006 Sep;101(5):408-17. doi: 10.1007/s00395-006-0607-2. Epub 2006 Aug 18.
PubMed 16915533
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 26 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- A Study of the Psychological Impact of an 80-km Ultra-Endurance Event
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07522307
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- PSYTRAIL-80 / CHUO-2026-01
- Conditions
- Healthy Adult Participants
- Keywords
- Ultra endurance, Running, Psychological, Impact
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 12 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Centre Hospitalier Régional d'OrléansUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 21 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 21 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 21 Mar 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 13 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Ultra-endurance races (ultra-marathons) take place under extreme environmental conditions, over long distances, involving prolonged physical activity and multiple psychological and physiological challenges.
These extreme conditions expose runners to a wide range of emotions-both pleasant and unpleasant-that can influence their performance, fatigue, and perception of exertion.
Emotional intelligence and emotional regulation appear to be key determinants of emotional trajectories and performance in these contexts. Previous research shows that high levels of emotional intelligence and adaptive emotional regulation strategies are associated with functional emotional trajectories and better performance, whereas maladaptive strategies are linked to dysfunctional emotional trajectories and reduced performance.
Furthermore, defense mechanisms constitute a complementary approach to emotional self-regulation. They can be adaptive or maladaptive and influence how runners cope with emotions and psychological stressors during competition.
Longitudinal studies conducted to date have primarily explored post-race emotional trajectories in relation to emotional intelligence, without examining the impact of defense mechanisms on emotional dynamics during the race. Furthermore, few studies have examined the mediating role of emotional intensity between emotional regulation and perceived performance, and even fewer have adopted an approach that integrates physiological indicators such as heart rate or heart rate variability.
Thus, this study lies at the intersection of sports psychology, emotion, and physiology, and aims to fill these gaps by exploring:
- the influence of defense mechanisms on emotional dynamics and physical and mental fatigue during an ultra-endurance race, and
- the mediating role of emotional intensity on the relationship between emotional regulation and perceived performance.
The objective of this study is to examine how certain psychological mechanisms used to cope with difficult situations influence the evolution of emotions experienced by participants during and after an 80-kilometer ultra-endurance race.
Detailed description
A descriptive, non-interventional, longitudinal exploratory study of healthy, able-bodied participants of both sexes, based on the completion of self-administered questionnaires on a tablet before, during (kilometers 25, 38, 48, and 56) and at the finish line (80th kilometer) of the "Ecotrail de Paris Ile de France 80 kilometers" ultra-trail race taking place on March 21, 2026
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Healthy, able-bodied participants of both sexes, participating to the "Ecotrail de Paris Ile de Fran | – | Other: Completion on a tablet of self-administered questionnaires about their emotions/feelings before, during (kilometers 25, 38, 48, and 56), and at the finish line (80th kilometer) |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- Healthy, able-bodied participants of both sexes, participating to the "Ecotrail de Paris Ile de France 80 kilometers" ultra-trail race taking place on March 21, 2026
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Individuals who have agreed to participate in the study
- Age ≥ 18 years
- Smartwatch capable of measuring heart rate and transmitting this data
- Smartwatch capable of measuring heart rate and transmitting this data
- Participation in the "Ecotrail de Paris Ile de France 80 kilometers" ultra trail taking place on March 21, 2026.
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Persons under legal guardianship or conservatorship
- Persons under judicial protection
- Persons deprived of liberty
- Persons not enrolled in a social security system
- Persons not enrolled in a social security system
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Completion on a tablet of self-administered questionnaires about their emotions/feelings before, during (kilometers 25, 38, 48, and 56), and at the finish line (80th kilometer)Completion on a tablet of self-administered questionnaires about their emotions/feelings before, during (kilometers 25, 38, 48, and 56), and at the finish line (80th kilometer) of the "Ecotrail de Paris Ile de France 80 kilometers" ultra-trail race taking place on March 21, 2026. | Other | Healthy, able-bodied participants of both sexes, participating to the "Ecotrail de Paris Ile de Fran |
Primary outcome
Defense mechanisms will be assessed before the race using the Defense Style Questionnaire - 26 (DSQ-26). Emotional intensity will be assessed before the race, during the race (at the 25-, 38-, 48-, and 56-kilometer marks), and at the finish line.
Time frame: Before, during (kilometers 25, 38, 48, and 56), and at the finish line (80th kilometer) of the "Ecotrail de Paris Ile de France 80 kilometers" ultra-trail race taking place on March 21, 2026.
Defense Style Questionnaire - 26 (DSQ-26). Scale from 1 to 6, with 1 being "never" and 6 "always".
3 secondary outcomes
Evaluation of physical and mental fatigue before, during and after the race
Time frame: Before, during (kilometers 25, 38, 48, and 56), and at the finish line (80th kilometer) of the "Ecotrail de Paris Ile de France 80 kilometers" ultra-trail race taking place on March 21, 2026.
Exploration of the relationships between emotional regulation strategies and runnners' perceived performance
Time frame: Before, during (kilometers 25, 38, 48, and 56), and at the finish line (80th kilometer) of the "Ecotrail de Paris Ile de France 80 kilometers" ultra-trail race taking place on March 21, 2026.
Exploration of emotion regulation strategies and runners' perceived exertion
Time frame: Before, during (kilometers 25, 38, 48, and 56), and at the finish line (80th kilometer) of the "Ecotrail de Paris Ile de France 80 kilometers" ultra-trail race taking place on March 21, 2026.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 26 May 2026.
- Background: PubMed 28130115Alquraini H, Auchus RJ. Strategies that athletes use to avoid detection of androgenic-anabolic steroid doping and sanctions. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2018 Mar 15;464:28-33. doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2017.01.028. Epub 2017 Jan 24.
- Background: PubMed 31399020Karlsson EM, Johnstone LT, Carey DP. The depth and breadth of multiple perceptual asymmetries in right handers and non-right handers. Laterality. 2019 Nov;24(6):707-739. doi: 10.1080/1357650X.2019.1652308. Epub 2019 Aug 9.
- Background: PubMed 26442774Ivarsson A, Andersen MB, Stenling A, Johnson U, Lindwall M. Things we still haven't learned (so far). J Sport Exerc Psychol. 2015 Aug;37(4):449-61. doi: 10.1123/jsep.2015-0015.
- Background: PubMed 14993839Bowins B. Psychological defense mechanisms: a new perspective. Am J Psychoanal. 2004 Mar;64(1):1-26. doi: 10.1023/B:TAJP.0000017989.72521.26.
- Background: PubMed 15590575Bond M. Empirical studies of defense style: relationships with psychopathology and change. Harv Rev Psychiatry. 2004 Sep-Oct;12(5):263-78. doi: 10.1080/10673220490886167.
- Background: PubMed 30909847Cece V, Lienhart N, Nicaise V, Guillet-Descas E, Martinent G. Longitudinal Sport Motivation Among Young Athletes in Intensive Training Settings: Using Methodological Advances to Explore Temporal Structure of Youth Behavioral Regulation in Sport Questionnaire Scores. J Sport Exerc Psychol. 2019 Feb 1;41(1):24-35. doi: 10.1123/jsep.2017-0194. Epub 2019 Mar 25.
- Background: PubMed 39211985Levillain G, Martinent G, Nicolas M. Longitudinal trajectories of intensity and direction of emotions among athletes in sports competitions: do defense mechanisms matter? Anxiety Stress Coping. 2025 Jul;38(4):379-393. doi: 10.1080/10615806.2024.2394800. Epub 2024 Aug 30.
- Background: PubMed 17183290Pearson H. Physiology: freaks of nature? Nature. 2006 Dec 21;444(7122):1000-1. doi: 10.1038/4441000a. No abstract available.
- Background: PubMed 16915533Noakes TD. The limits of endurance exercise. Basic Res Cardiol. 2006 Sep;101(5):408-17. doi: 10.1007/s00395-006-0607-2. Epub 2006 Aug 18.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
Related trials for Healthy Adult Participants
Not yet recruitingPhase 1
A Phase I Study of GLR2053 Tablets in Chinese Healthy Adult Participants
Atopic Dermatitis
RecruitingPhase 1
First-in-Human Trial to Assess REGN20423 in Healthy Adult Participants and Adult Participants With Atopic Dermatitis
Healthy Volunteer, Atopic Dermatitis
Not yet recruiting
REM Enhancement Sleep Technology for Well-being, Emotion, and Life Lift
Healthy Adult Participants
RecruitingPhase 1
A Study to Learn How Different Forms of the Study Medicine Called Berobenatide is Taken up Into the Blood in Adults With Overweight or Obesity
Overweight and/or Obesity, Healthy Participants
RecruitingObservational study
Magnetic Field Maps With NV Application Kit MCG
Technical Feasibility and Performance of the Sensor System, Healthy Adult
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Healthy Adult Participants, run by Centre Hospitalier Régional d'Orléans at 1 site in France.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 26 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in France. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Defense mechanisms will be assessed before the race using the Defense Style Questionnaire - 26 (DSQ-26). Emotional intensity will be assessed before the race, during the race (at the 25-, 38-, 48-, and 56-kilometer marks), and at the finish line. (time frame: Before, during (kilometers 25, 38, 48, and 56), and at the finish line (80th kilometer) of the "Ecotrail de Paris Ile de France 80 kilometers" ultra-trail race taking place on March 21, 2026.). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07522307, which also lists 9 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 26 May 2026.