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WSER Research Program
 

Research Project Research Proposal Application Process

A need to formalize research activities at the Western States Endurance Run was recognized in 2005. In early 2006, the development of a Research Committee was approved by the Western States Board with the charge of,

  1. assuring proper human studies requirements were being met,
  2. expanding funding opportunities,
  3. promoting greater quality and publishable research from the event, and
  4. proposing specific lines of research.

The Committee was developed, and research proposal submission processes and funding opportunities were made available beginning with the 2007 Western States Endurance Run. Through this initiative, the Western States Endurance Run supports basic, applied, clinical and behavioral research associated with the event. Research directly applicable to ultramarathon running, as well as research using the event as a model for other conditions, will be considered.


Special Thanks to our
Current Research Sponsors...

 

BankCardUSA
Merchant Services
23andMe
Moeben Sleves

- and -

Jose Suarez

 

Want to Help Support our Research?

Good research doesn't come cheap! But we get a lot out of each dollar we put towards research as you can see from the long list of research publications below. If you want to help with our advancement of new knowledge related to ultramarathon running, please consider a tax-deductible donation. You can contact Dr. Marty Hoffman to make your donation and to discuss how your contribution will be used.

All research performed in association with the Western States Endurance Run, whether funded by the organization or not, must be approved by the Research Committee. Researchers contemplating submissions are encouraged to discuss with Dr. Marty Hoffman at martin.hoffmanva.gov.

Proposals should include the following sections:

  1. Cover Page: Include the title of the project, principal investigator's name and contact information;
  2. Lay Abstract of the Project (1 page): Include the headings Introduction, Purpose, and Methods;
  3. Biographical Sketches of the Research Team (maximum 3 pages each): Include information regarding Education, Professional Experience, Memberships and Honors, Research Support, and Publications;
  4. Budget (if requesting funds from Western States Endurance Run): Please note that funding is limited to the range of a few thousand dollars. Funding for major equipment items and salary support will not be considered. In general, it is recommended that gift certificates to the Western States store be used for subject reimbursement;
  5. Narrative of Proposal (maximum 5 pages): Include the headings Specific Aims, Background and Significance, Preliminary Data (if available), Experimental Design and Methodology, Anticipated Problems, and Reference Citations.

The annual deadline for receipt of proposals is February 15. All proposals should be submitted electronically to Dr. Marty Hoffman at martin.hoffmanva.gov.

Decisions regarding approval of proposed research will be based upon the importance of the work, feasibility of the work, likelihood that the work will result in a scientific publication, and evidence of an appropriate risk to benefit ratio and that the work will result in limited interference with the runners and the event.

Safeguarding the rights and welfare of human subjects involved in research performed at the Western States Endurance Run is the responsibility of the institution with which the researcher is affiliated. Research will not be allowed until a certificate is received assuring the work has been approved by an institutional review board (IRB). If the proposed work is approved to be performed at the Western States Endurance Run, the following information will be required prior to initiation of the project:

  1. Certification of IRB approval;
  2. Copy of IRB approved human subjects consent form;
  3. Copy of IRB approved recruitment information.

Research Committee Members

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Marty Hoffman, MD, FACSM
Chief of PM&R, VA Northern California Health Care System
Professor of Clinical PM&R, University of California - Davis
martin.hoffmanva.gov
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Doug Arnold
WSER Board Member

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Tamara Hew-Butler, DPM, PhD
Research Assistant Professor
Department of Kinesiology
Arizona State University
tamara.hewoverhydration.org

Rob Shave, PhD
Reader in Exercise Physiology
Centre for Sports Medicine and Human Performance
Brunel University
Rob.Shavebrunel.ac.uk

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Guillaume Millet, PhD
Professor, University Saint-Etienne, France
guillaume.milletuniv-st-etienne.fr

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Charles Savage
WSER Board Member

 

Research Project Western States Endurance Run
Research Publications

Research at the Western States Endurance Run has resulted in the following scientific publications:

Bortz WM II, Angwin P, Mefford IN, Boarder MR, Noyce N, Barchas JD. Catecholamines, dopamine, and endorphin levels during extreme exercise. New England Journal of Medicine 1981;305(8):466-467.

Publication Summary: Citation refers to a Letter to the Editor reporting that there was a significant rise above pre-race levels in blood concentrations of norepinephrine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC; a dopamine metabolite) and ß-endorphin while running the 1980 Western States Endurance Run. The authors indicate that the findings suggest an important interaction between the central nervous system and the periphery as a result of high-level physical exertion.

Nieman DC, Dumke CI, Henson DA, McAnulty SR, McAnulty LS, Lind RH, Morrow JD. Immune and oxidative changes during and following the Western States Endurance Run. International Journal of Sports Medicine 2003; 24(7): 541-547. View Abstract.

Nieman DC, Dumke CL, Henson DA, McAnulty SR, Gross SJ, Lind RH. Muscle damage is linked to cytokine changes following a 160 km running race. Brain, Behavior and Immunity 2005;19(5):398-403. View Abstract.

Nieman DC, Henson DA, Dumke CL, Lind RH, Shooter LR, Gross SJ. Relationship between salivary IgA secretion and upper respiratory tract infection following a 160 km race. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness. 2006;46(1):158-162. View Abstract.

Dumke C L, Shooter L, Lind RH, Nieman DC. Indirect calorimetry during ultradistance running-a case report. Journal of Sports Science & Medicine 2006;5(4):692-698.

Publication Summary: Citation refers to study which measured the energy expenditure using a portable metabolic cart of a single subject while running the first 40 miles of the Western States Endurance Run. Based on the findings, it was estimated that the energy cost of running the full 100 miles would be over 13,000 kcals.

Nieman DC, Henson DA, Dumke CL, Oley K, McAnulty SR, Davis JM, Murphy EA, Utter AC, Lind RH, McAnulty LS, Morrow JD. Ibuprofen use, endotoxemia, inflammation, and plasma cytokines during ultramarathon competition. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity 2006;20(6):578-584. [Epub 2006 Mar 22] View Abstract.

Dumke CL, Nieman DC, Oley K, Lind RH. Ibuprofen does not affect serum electrolyte concentrations following an ultradistance run. British Journal of Sports Medicine 2007;41(8):492-6. View Abstract.

McAnulty SR, Owens JT, McAnulty LS, Nieman DC, Morrow JD, Dumke CL, Milne GL. Ibuprofen use during extreme exercise: effects on oxidative stress and PGE2. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2007;39(7):1075-9. View Abstract.

McAnulty S, McAnulty L, Nieman D, Morrow J, Dumke CL, Henson DA. Effect of NSAID on muscle injury and oxidative stress International Journal of Sports Medicine 2007 May 31; [Epub ahead of print] View Abstract.

Hoffman MD, Lee J, Zhao H, Tsodikov A. Pain perception after running a 100-mile ultramarathon Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2007;88(8):1042-8. View Abstract.

Nieman DC, Henson DA, Davis JM, Dumke CL, Gross SJ, Jenkins DP, Murphy EA, Carmichael MD, Quindry JC, McAnulty SR, McAnulty LS, Utter AC, Mayer EP. Quercetin ingestion does not alter cytokine changes in athletes competing in the Western States Endurance Run. J Interferon Cytokine Res 2007;27(12):1003-11. View Abstract.

Quindry JC, McAnulty SR, Hudson MB, Hosick P, Dumke C, McAnulty LS, Henson D, Morrow JD, Nieman D. Oral quercetin supplementation and blood oxidative capacity in response to ultramarathon competition. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab 2008;18(6):601-16. View Abstract.

Hoffman MD. Anthropometric characteristics of ultramarathoners. Int J Sports Med 2008;29:1-4. View Abstract.

Hoffman MD. Ultramarathon trail running comparison of performance-matched men and women. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2008;40:1681-1686. View Abstract.

Henson D, Nieman D, Davis JM, Dumke C, Gross S, Murphy A, Carmichael M, Jenkins DP, Quindry J, McAnulty S, McAnulty L, Utter A, Mayer E. Post-160-km race illness rates and decreases in granulocyte respiratory burst and salivary IgA output are not countered by quercetin ingestion. Int J Sports Med 2008;29(10):856-63. View Abstract.

Scott JM, Esch BT, Shave R, Warburton DER, Gaze D, George K. Cardiovascular consequences of completing a 160-km ultramarathon. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2009;41:25–33. View Abstract.

Utter AC, Nieman DC, Kang J, Dumke CL, Quindry JC, McAnulty SR, McAnulty LS. Quercetin does not affect rating of perceived exertion in athletes during the Western States endurance run. Res Sports Med 2009;17(2):71-83. View Abstract.

Hoffman MD, Wegelin J. The Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run: participation and performance trends. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2009; 41:2191-2198. View Abstract.

Hoffman MD. Performance trends in 161-km ultramarathons. Int J Sports Med 2010;31:31-37. View Abstract.

Hoffman MD, Lebus DK, Ganong AC, Casazza GA, Van Loan MD. Body composition of 161-km ultramarathoners. Int J Sports Med 2010;31:106-109.

Hoffman MD, Ong JC, Wang G. Historical analysis of participation in 161-km ultramarathons in North America. Int J History Sport 2010; 27 (11):1-13, 2010.

Lebus DK, Casazza GA, Hoffman MD, Van Loan MD. Can changes in body mass and total body water accurately predict hyponatremia following a 161-km running race? Clin J Sports Med 2010; 20:193-199. View Abstract.