Runners to compete over 217 km in the name of science
An international research project is to study the effects of taking part in one of the world's most extreme endurance races - the 135 mile (217 kilometre) Badwater Ultramarathon that takes place in Death Valley in the US in July. Among the 90 competitors lining up at the start will be 15 runners participating in the runex123 project. Scientists from Germany, Austria and the UK will accompany these runners, and will monitor the psychological, physiological and biochemical effects of pushing the body to such extremes. Tests will be carried each time a runner completes a half marathon distance. 'I am keen to look at plasma volume changes and regulation, fluid balance and electrolytes in these ultra-endurance runners,' said Professor Ralph Beneke from the UK's University of Essex - one of scientists involved in the project. 'Additionally, the extreme exercise and environmental conditions might enable me to further investigate structural and functional integrity of cells with special respect to blood, skeletal muscle, heart, liver, kidneys and the central nervous system.' Professor Beneke told CORDIS News that he expects the findings to show that brain function is impaired during such an activity. He expects to see no change in the speed at which the brain functions, but a reduction in the quality of what it produces. He explained that these results are likely because of tiredenss and supply stress (a lack of water and sugar). Neuropsychologist Michael Doppelmayr from Austria will be responsible for assessing the psychological state of each competitor. Each runner will be asked questions, the answers to which will enable the Dr Doppelmayr to assess, on the one hand, their personality structure and motivation, and on the other hand, cognitive, emotional and motivational changes during the run. In addition to running 217 kilometres in temperatures reaching 55 degrees Celsius, each participant will have to climb from the lowest point in the US - 86 metres below sea level - to a point in the Sierra Nevada mountain range 2,500 metres above sea level. Professor Beneke believes that it is a 'specific breed of human being' that decides to set his or herself such a demanding challenge, and he expects the project results to confirm this theory. 'I believe there's a real chance we'll find some sub-types of genetic mixtures,' he told CORDIS News.
Countries
Austria, Germany, United Kingdom