Women's Ultra-Trail Health Program Launches

The new initiative will transform major international races into "living laboratories" to conduct real-time athlete monitoring and controlled research. Scientific direction is led by Dr. Patrick Basset and Dr. Volker Sheer, with support from HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc. The program aims to create a global, open-source data platform to advance innovation in women's endurance health. Key research areas will include menstrual health, pregnancy and postpartum considerations, menopause, pelvic floor function, and hormonal and bone health. This focus is critical, as studies show female ultramarathon runners have significantly higher rates of irregular periods and secondary amenorrhea than the general population. One study found 46% of premenopausal female runners reported irregular cycles. The program also addresses a high prevalence of specific musculoskeletal issues. Bone stress injuries are a particular concern for female ultra-endurance athletes, with one study finding a 21% prevalence in this group. The lower limbs are the most frequently injured area, with the foot, ankle, and knee being the most common sites of injury. Elite athletes are directly involved in the project, including French trail runners Marion Delespierre and Blandine L'Hirondel. Their involvement is notable as Delespierre is a sports doctor and L'Hirondel is an obstetrician-gynecologist, bringing both athletic and medical expertise to the research. This initiative launches as female participation in ultra-endurance events has grown. Between 2010 and 2019, the number of women finishing 100km ultramarathons increased by 44.9%, and female representation in trail events doubled from 13% to 26% between 2013 and 2019. However, research has lagged, with one study finding only 39% of participants in sports and exercise medicine journal articles were female. While other institutions like Stanford University with its FASTR Program and Boston Children's Hospital have programs dedicated to female athletes, this new initiative is distinct in its specific focus on the ultra-trail environment. Its "living laboratory" approach at major international races is a key differentiator in studying athletes in their actual competition settings.