Stress and recovery states after a 24 h ultra-marathon race: A one-month follow-up study

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the athlete’s perception of stress and recovery states following a 24 h ultra-marathon race. Design and method Psychological states were assessed in 14 male subjects before as well as 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 21, and 30 days after the race. Results The results suggest an ultra-endurance race induces perceived stress and leads to subsequent alterations in perceived recovery, whatever the psychological, physical, emotional or social dimensions according to a unique time-course for the several components evaluating the stress and recovery process. Stress and recovery levels related to the 24 h race showed that a period of 2 weeks is r…