Pre-race characteristics and race performance in hyponatremic and normonatremic finishers of Czech ultra-races.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to compare pre-race characteristics, race performance and plasma sodium [Na+] levels of hyponatremic and normonatremic ultra-endurance athletes and choosen variables in all finishers (n = 138). We assessed age, gender, club membership, pre-race training history and experience, pre-race body mass and body mass index (BMI) in 138 finishers of ultra-races (stage mountain bikers, 24-hr mountain bikers, 24-hr ultra-runners and 100-km ultra-runners) and post-race plasma [Na+] in a subgroup of 113 ultra-athletes.The aim of the study was to compare pre-race characteristics, race performance and plasma sodium [Na+] levels of hyponatremic and normonatremic ultra-endurance athletes and choosen variables in all finishers (n = 138). We assessed age, gender, club membership, pre-race training history and experience, pre-race body mass and body mass index (BMI) in 138 finishers of ultra-races (stage mountain bikers, 24-hr mountain bikers, 24-hr ultra-runners and 100-km ultra-runners) and post-race plasma [Na+] in a subgroup of 113 ultra-athletes.