Dear ,

WSER has supported basic, applied, clinical and behavioral research associated with the race for many decades. This year there are two studies that you can participate in. The first is a cardiac study which is also happening at the Memorial Weekend Training Runs, and the second pertains to GI issues. If you wish to enroll in one or both studies please contact the researchers directly. If you have general questions about the research program at WSER you can reply to this email which will go to our research director John Diana, M.D.

Thank you for contributing to the knowledge base.

Craig Thornley
Race Director

Frequency and Nature of Arrhythmia in Ultrarunners and
their Association to Cardiac Structure and Function

We are undertaking a study looking at the electrical activity in the heart at Western States Endurance Run.

Participation in this study is voluntary and non-invasive. You will be provided with a small heart monitor that will be worn for the week prior to the race. The device will be posted to you which will include instructions on how to apply. The small device adheres to the skin at the top of the chest and will be worn during sleep, normal activity / exercise and showering. You will be instructed to wear the device for the duration of the week and continue as normal and to keep a diary of sleep and exercise activity during this time for the week prior to the race. On completion of the week you will attend the race and return the device to the researchers on the day prior to the race. You will also be required to complete an online health and training questionnaire before the race and you will have your height, weight and blood pressure taken. You will also have an electrocardiogram (measures your heart rate and rhythm), and an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). The testing will take around 45 minutes.

We have included an information sheet and if you are happy to participate in the study we will take informed consent at the screening. If you choose not to participate it will in no way impact your involvement in the race. If you require more information or you have any questions, please contact us.

Kind Regards,
Dr. David Oxborough (Principal Investigator)
Reader in Cardiovascular Physiology
0151 904 6231

GI study

We're recruiting for a new research study on the gut microbiome of ultramarathon runners!

The human gastrointestinal (GI) tract is home to an abundance of microorganisms (i.e., gut microbiome) that are critical for health and human performance. Following the 2019 Western States Endurance Run, our research team observed the most rapid and profound shifts in human gut microbiome composition to ever be reported in the scientific literature in an elite runner. Our goal of this new study is to better understand how the gut microbiome is affected by ultramarathon running in a larger and more diverse sample, and to explore relationships between the gut microbiome and gastrointestinal distress and race performance.

An improved understanding of "good" and "bad" microbiome changes will assist in developing strategies to improve health and human performance by targeting the gut microbiome (e.g., probiotics).

As athletes, we TOTALLY understand the importance of this race and have designed a study with minimal demand. Participant's will be asked to:
- complete a series of questionnaires about demographics, training and medical history, gastrointestinal health, and dietary and sleep habits
- provide pre- and post-race stool samples that you will collect with an easy-to-use collection kit and ship to our laboratory in a prepaid mailing envelope 

After study completion, all participants will receive a customized report of their personal microbiome characteristics featuring comparative data and a lay summary.

We are asking that interested individuals complete a brief (name, sex, DOB, and e-mail address) questionnaire using the following link and we will get back to them ASAP. Here is a link to that questionnaire: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScYG3u6UQDsq_cXi3O8Emk6cnT-icMLnU1_0WnYF2BBy1gioQ/viewform. Additionally, participants are more than welcome to contact me via email (ggrosicki@georgiasouthern.edu) or phone (703-303-7812) for more information.

Best,

Gregory J. Grosicki, Ph.D., CEP
Assistant Professor of Kinesiology
Waters Faculty Fellow
Director, Exercise Physiology Laboratory
Georgia Southern University | Waters College of Health Professions