Substance use and misuse in a mountain ultramarathon: new insight into ultrarunners population?

Fiche publication


Journal

Research in sports medicine (Print)

Auteurs

Membres identifiés du Cancéropôle Est :
Pr CHENUEL Bruno, Pr POUSSEL Mathias


Tous les auteurs :
Didier S, Vauthier JC, Gambier N, Renaud P, Chenuel B, Poussel M

Résumé

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.

Mots clés

Adult, Analgesics, therapeutic use, Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal, therapeutic use, Arthralgia, drug therapy, Female, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Musculoskeletal Pain, drug therapy, Running, Surveys and Questionnaires, Young Adult

Référence

Res Sports Med. ;25(2):244-251