Psychological characteristics associated with ultra‐marathon running: An exploratory self‐report and psychophysiological study

Figures & data

Table 1. Demographic characteristics and self‐reported exercise behaviours during a typical week for the two groups

	Ultra‐runner group M (SD) unless specified	Control group M (SD) unless specified	p value
Number	20	20	—
Female gender: n (%)	11 (55%)	11 (55%)	>.99
Age (years)	42.55 (7.88)	40.25 (8.52)	.63
Exercise behaviours during a typical week
Running
Time spent running (hours)	10.37 (5.89)	0.28 (0.64)	<.001^*
Total distance run (km)	81.81 (37.75)	1.22 (3.62)	<.001^*
Cycling: n (%)			.69
0 min	10 (50%)	13 (65%)
1–60-min	5 (25%)	4 (20%)
>60-min	5 (25%)	3 (15%)
Swimming/aquatic exercise: n (%)			.44
0 min	12 (60%)	16 (80%)
1–60-min	6 (30%)	3 (15%)
>60-min	2 (10%)	1 (5%)
Exercise with aerobic exercise equipment: n (%)			>.99
0 min	16 (80%)	17 (85%)
1–60-min	2 (10%)	2 (10%)
>60-min	1 (5%)	1 (5%)
Walking (when done to exercise): n (%)			.093
0 min	9 (45%)	9 (45%)
1–60-min	8 (40%)	3 (15%)
>60-min	3 (15%)	8 (40%)
Strength/resistance training: n (%)			.002^*
0 min	4 (20%)	14 (70%)
1–60-min	9 (45%)	1 (5%)
>60-min	7 (35%)	5 (25%)
Stretching/flexibility exercises: n (%)			.046^*
0 min	5 (25%)	13 (65%)
1–60-min	10 (50%)	4 (20%)
>60-min	5 (25%)	3 (15%)

Note: Data concerning exercise using aerobic exercise equipment were not available for one ultra‐runner participant.

* Between‐group t test (for continuous variables) or chi‐square test or Fisher's exact test (for frequencies) p < .05.

Table 2. Lifetime marathon and ultra‐running experience of the ultra‐runner group

	Mean (SD) number of races of this distance completed	Number of participants who have completed ≥1 race of this distance
Marathon	18.00 (21.24)	19
50‐km race	5.00 (5.71)	17
51–99‐km race	4.00 (4.39)	13
100‐km race	4.15 (4.21)	15
101–160‐km race	0.15 (0.37)	3
161‐km race	0.50 (1.00)	5
>161‐km race	0.30 (0.73)	3
Ultra‐marathon (any distance)	14.10 (13.05)	20

Table 3. Mean (SD) scores for the two groups on the questionnaire scales

Scale		Ultra‐runner group M (SD)	Control group M (SD)	p value	Cohen's d
CD‐RISC		81.30 (11.49)	71.15 (13.40)	.014^*	0.81
ERQ	Cognitive reappraisal	33.10 (6.83)	32.25 (5.32)	.663	0.14
	Expressive suppression	15.20 (4.19)	15.00 (5.33)	.896	0.04
CERQ	Self‐blame	9.70 (3.03)	9.80 (2.82)	.915	−0.03
	Acceptance	11.45 (2.82)	12.85 (3.15)	.147	−0.47
	Rumination	10.25 (3.77)	11.80 (3.52)	.187	−0.42
	Positive Refocusing	12.55 (4.91)	11.65 (3.69)	.516	0.21
	Refocus on Planning	15.90 (3.67)	14.95 (3.39)	.401	0.27
	Positive Reappraisal	16.95 (3.28)	14.55 (3.59)	.034^*	0.70
	Putting into Perspective	15.20 (3.98)	13.00 (3.99)	.089	0.55
	Catastrophizing	6.15 (2.30)	7.25 (3.26)	.225	−0.39
	Other‐blame	7.50 (2.95)	7.60 (2.28)	.905	−0.04
MPQ‐BF	Wellbeing	9.60 (3.36)	9.20 (2.98)	.693	0.13
	Social Potency	5.40 (2.23)	5.85 (3.51)	.632	−0.15
	Achievement	9.90 (2.55)	8.50 (2.86)	.110	0.52
	Social Closeness	5.55 (3.17)	7.55 (2.67)	.037^*	−0.68
	Stress Reaction	4.40 (3.73)	5.20 (3.90)	.512	−0.21
	Alienation	1.70 (1.87)	1.60 (2.62)	.890	0.04
	Aggression	0.95 (1.10)	1.00 (1.38)	.900	−0.04

Abbreviations: CD‐RISC, Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale; CERQ, Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire; ERQ, Emotion Regulation Questionnaire; MPQ‐BF, Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire–Brief Form.

* Indicate that results are statistically significant after using the Benjamini‐Hochberg procedure to correct for multiple comparisons with the FDR set at 0.25.

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