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Ultra-trail endurance racing causes objective sleep disruptions lasting up to four nights post-race, despite only modest subjective sleep complaints.

In a field study of 18 ultra-trail runners, actigraphy revealed significant objective sleep changes including reduced sleep efficiency, longer nocturnal wake time, increased awakenings, and increased wake after sleep onset, persisting up to four nights after the race. Subjective sleep alterations were modest, mainly later wake-up time and reduced sleep quality on the night following the race.

Last updated: Aug 13, 2026•0 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score32/100
Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Sleep disturbances after an ultra-trail endurance race: a field study.

observational

Fachan F, Vilcourt F, Lemarchand B, Chouchou F · Sleep medicine: X (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: Six nights before and after the race
Intervention: Ultra-trail race (64 km, 5000 m elevation gain, starting at 03:30 a.m.)
Outcome: Sleep patterns measured via actigraphy (sleep efficiency, nocturnal wake time, number of awakenings, wake after sleep onset) and subjective sleep diary (wake-up time, sleep quality)
Effect Size: N/A
Population: 18 athletes (mean age 34.6 ± 8.13, 3 women) participating in the Ultra Marathon des Cirques, La Réunion, France

Result:

PubMed: 42571451DOI: 10.1016/j.sleepx.2026.100197

Mechanism Graph

Ultra-trail race induces sleep deprivation, cumulative fatigue, hypoxia, and hyperthermia
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These factors may disrupt normal sleep architecture
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Resulting in sleep fragmentation and reduced sleep efficiency
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Objective sleep disruptions persist up to four nights post-race

Limitations

  • ⚠Small sample size (n=18) with only 3 women, limiting generalizability
  • ⚠Observational field study without a control group, so causal inference is limited
  • ⚠Potential confounding factors such as individual training status, race experience, and environmental conditions were not fully controlled

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do sleep disturbances last after an ultra-trail race?▼

Objective sleep disruptions, including reduced sleep efficiency and increased fragmentation, can persist for up to four nights after the race, according to actigraphy measurements.

Do athletes perceive sleep disturbances after an ultra-trail race?▼

Athletes reported only modest subjective sleep alterations, mainly a later wake-up time and reduced sleep quality on the night following the race, despite objective disruptions.

What are the main objective sleep changes observed after an ultra-trail race?▼

Actigraphy showed reduced sleep efficiency, longer nocturnal wake time, increased number of awakenings, and increased wake after sleep onset, lasting up to four nights post-race.

What factors might explain sleep disruptions after an ultra-trail race?▼

Potential mechanisms include sleep deprivation, cumulative fatigue, hypoxia, and hyperthermia, though the exact mechanisms remain to be elucidated.

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References

  1. 1.Fachan F, Vilcourt F, Lemarchand B, Chouchou F. "Sleep disturbances after an ultra-trail endurance race: a field study.." Sleep medicine: X, 2026. PMID: 42571451 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleepx.2026.100197
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.