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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT06089174

Assessment of the Increased Risk of Infection Following an Ultratrail

The increase in the practice of running has encouraged a proliferation of studies evaluating the impact of this sport on health. A number of these studies have looked at the influence of endurance events on the immune system. After prolonged exercise, a systemic inflammatory syndrome sets in, with repercussions for the functioning of the immune system. The number of lymphocytes in the blood is reduced, the function of natural killer (NK) cells is impaired and secretory immunity is impaired. During this period of immunosuppression, often referred to as the 'open window', the host may be more susceptible to micro-organisms that bypass the first line of defence.

The invetigators' hypothesis is therefore that ultratrailers are overexposed to the risk of infection due to immunodepression resulting from practising this sport. In order to support this hypothesis, the investigators would like to look at infectious complications in general and ear-nose and throat episodes (rhinitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, etc.) in particular, which are the most common infections encountered in primary care, along with urinary tract infections.

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Key information

Conditions

Running Immune Deficiency Immune System Diseases Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes Infections

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

CHU Réunion

Saint-Denis, 97400, Reunion

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • > 18 years
  • Participating in a Grand Raid de la Réunion 2023 race (Mascareignes, Trail de Bourbon, Diagonale des Fous)
  • Have a companion living under the same roof during the week preceding the race and the 21 days following the race and who agrees to answer the questionnaires
  • Do not object to the research

Exclusion criteria

  • Do not understand French
  • A protected adult (guardianship or curatorship) or under court protection

Treatment and study plan

Ultra-trail

Other

Questionnaires sent to runners at various pre-race and post-race times (Day3, Day6, Day10, Day14 and Day21)

Primary outcomes

  1. Increased risk of infection

    Time frame: Day 21

    Comparing the incidence of all infectious symptoms in runners taking part in one of the Grand Raid races (exposed subjects) with the incidence of infectious symptoms in those accompanying them on the race.

    fever, congestion, stuffy nose, sneezing, shortness of breath, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, sore throat, general fatigue, burning and urinary symptoms, other infectious symptoms; associated with major infections (respiratory, skin, gastrointestinal, urinary, other)

Secondary outcomes

  1. Kinetic of infections' appearance

    Time frame: Day 21

    Kinetics of the onset of infectious symptoms within 21 days following one of the Grand Raid de La Réunion races in runners (exposed subjects) and their companions (unexposed subjects). Survival curves over the 3 weeks post-race will be produced.

    An on-line questionnaire will be used to collect infectious data.

  2. Risk factors: running distance

    Time frame: Day 21

    Identify if the distance of the race in which the runner participates is a risk factor associated with the risk of infection in the 21 days following one of the Grand Raid de La Réunion races in runners (exposed subjects).

    An on-line questionnaire will be used to collect data related to the race distance.

  3. Risk factors: training volume

    Time frame: Day 21

    Identify if the runner's training volume is a risk factor associated with the risk of infection in the 21 days following one of the Grand Raid de La Réunion races in runners (exposed subjects).

  4. Risk factors: sex of the runner

    Time frame: Day 21

    Identify if sex of the runner is a risk factor associated with the risk of infection in the 21 days following one of the Grand Raid de La Réunion races in runners (exposed subjects).

  5. Risk factors: age category

    Time frame: Day 21

    Identify if the age of the runner is a risk factor associated with the risk of infection in the 21 days following one of the Grand Raid de La Réunion races in runners (exposed subjects).

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de la Réunion

Other

Collaborators

  • Hôpital Privé de la Loire- Saint Etienne
  • Jean Monnet University

Registry information

Acronym: INFultra

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2023
Study completion
2023
First posted
Oct 18, 2023
Registry last updated
Feb 17, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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