Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT05389111

Internal Discourses and Perception of Trail-running Effort

Determination of the effect of an intervention to develop the use of internal discourses on the perception of exercise during a sub-maximum effort following a trail running

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Physical Exertion

Age range

18 year–55 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

CHU Grenoble Alpes

Grenoble, 38043, France

About this study

The practice of mountain running or "trail" is in full development in France and elsewhere in the world. This sport practice is associated with various constraints specific to the activity.

These constraints imposed on the body during the preparation, participation and recovery of this type of effort have an impact on multiple aspects of the individual (physiological, psychological, neurological...). Some studies have made it possible in each of the fields to advance the current knowledge about the trail-running environment. However, there are very few links between variables from different fields of research, even though these links are at the origin of the complex individual responses observed in the field.

Therefore it seems important to study the practice of trail running and its consequences on the individual, relying on a systemic approach of the individual who studies how psychological phenomena, physiological and cerebral interactions to predict behaviour and its health consequences.

The biopsychosocial models are based on this systemic approach and postulate that the perception of the individual's effort would be the main limit to the continuity of effort, performance because it causes the intensity to decrease - or even stop the effort - if this sensation becomes too strong.

Consequently, the study of certain interventions aimed at reducing this perception of effort, such as the one proposed in this project, seems to be an essential step to propose to the practitioners of this type of sport strategies allowing to practice in a healthy and efficient way.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Male or female
  • 18-55 years
  • Subjects available in Grenoble before and during the 15 days after the race
  • Subjects subject to a social security scheme
  • Subjects able to sign informed consent.
  • Fluent in French

Exclusion criteria

  • Cardiorespiratory, metabolic and neurological conditions
  • People treated with anxiolytics and/or neuroleptics or ATCD for behavioural disorders
  • Persons refusing to sign the participation consent
  • Persons under guardianship
  • Persons referred to in Articles L1121-5 to L1121-8 of the CSP

Treatment and study plan

Internal discourses

Other

This intervention will take place following the randomization performed at the V1 visit. It will be held in videoconference, will be led by a professional of the training field, specialist of the trail activity and trained in the use of mental strategies

Non internal discourses

Other

This intervention will take place following the randomization performed at the V1 visit. It will be held in videoconference, and will be conducted by a professional of the training field, specialist of the trail activity and coach of mountain guide

Primary outcomes

  1. Perception of effort during running.

    Time frame: 1 day

    Perception of Borg scale rated effort (0 no effort; 10, maximal effort) while running on a treadmill at sub-maximum intensity

Secondary outcomes

  1. Psychological profiles of trail-running practitioners

    Time frame: 18 months

    Assessement of internal discourses use, pre-competitive anxiety, self-determined motivation to practice, achievement goals assessed by a questionnaire

  2. Perception of effort depending on running distance

    Time frame: 18 months

    Comparison of the perception of effort (Borg scale rated effort (0 no effort; 10, maximal effort) while running) between subjects according to the distance of running

  3. Link between the individual's physical level and perception of effort

    Time frame: 18 months

    Correlation between VO2max assessed during exercise testing in the laboratory and effort perception

  4. Serological library

    Time frame: 18 months

    Comparison of circulating markers (e.g. BDNF, s100, creatine kinase, interleukins, to be defined a posteriori according to the physiological and cerebral effects observed) before and after the race

  5. Performance on a cognitive task

    Time frame: 3 months

    Performance on a cognitive task performed on a computer

  6. Brain activation during a cognitive task

    Time frame: 3 months

    Changes in brain oxygenation assessed by NIRS during a cognitive task

  7. Perception of effort, attentional focus, self-efficacy and resources of self-control during a race situation

    Time frame: 1 day

    Change in perception of effort, attentional focus, self-efficacy and self-monitoring resources, assessed by a questionnaire during the race

  8. Recovery kinetics of runners after a trail race.

    Time frame: 2 weeks

    Changes in the previous outcomes will be evaluated between the end of the race and 1-2 weeks after the race

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University Hospital, Grenoble

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Effect of Internal Discourses on the Perception of Trail-running Effort

Acronym: UT4M2022

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
May 24, 2022
Registry last updated
Dec 30, 2025

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.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.