The psychology of ultra-marathon runners: A systematic review
Objectives: An `ultra-marathon` is a footrace over a distance >42.2km. There is considerable interest in the psychological characteristics of ultra-marathon runners (`ultra-runners`) and the psychological effects of running an ultra-marathon. This review aimed to summarise the existing literature concerning the psychology of ultra-runners.
Design: A systematic review was performed. Studies were included if they investigated ultra-runners` personality traits, mood, cognitive processes, cognitive function, pain perception, motivations, phenomenology, psychopathology or response to sports psychology interventions.
Method: Four databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and PsycINFO) were searched electronically up until December 2017.
Results: Fifty-one studies met the inclusion criteria. A few conclusions regarding the psychology of ultra-runners may be drawn from these studies. First, the acute mood effects of ultra-running appear to include an increase in fatigue and a decrease in vigour and tension. Secondly, the most important factor motivating ultra-runners to engage in their sport appears to be the opportunity to achieve personal goals. Finally, ultra-running seems to be associated with a psychological drive to explore physical and mental limits.
Conclusions: Although the existing literature sheds some light on ultra-runners` mood states, motivations and phenomenology, further high-quality studies investigating the psychology of these remarkable athletes are needed.
© Copyright 2018 Psychology of Sport and Exercise. Elsevier. Kaikki oikeudet pidätetään.
Aiheet: | maratonjuoksu motivaatio kipu tajunta urheilupsykologia stressi tietojen dokumentointi |
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Aihealueet: | yhteiskuntatieteet kestävyys urheilu |
Tagging: | Ultraausdauersport |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.psychsport.2018.04.004 |
Julkaisussa: | Psychology of Sport and Exercise |
Julkaistu: |
2018
|
Vuosikerta: | 37 |
Numero: | July |
Sivuja: | 43-58 |
Julkaisutyypit: | artikkeli kirjallisuusanalyysi |
Kieli: | englanti (kieli) |
Taso: | kehittynyt |