The 3rd international Congress of Medicine and Science in Ultra-endurance Sports

After successful conferences in 2014 and 2015 preceding the Western States Endurance Run, the Medicine & Science in Ultra-Endurance Sports Conference moved to a different venue beginning in 2016.
This was the official website for the 2016 Ultra Sports Science Congress held in Chamonix, France.
The Conference's goal was to raise public awareness for ultra-endurance sports, to analyze the consequences on the human body, to share the results of medical research, to foster discussions about health issues related to ultra-endurance exercise, and to train and inform healthcare professionals who are involved in this discipline. This medical conference's aim was to support research efforts and implement suitable health care policies.

Content is from the site's 2016 archived pages.

The 3rd international Congress of Medicine and Science in Ultra-endurance Sports will be held from 21 to 23 August 2016 in Chamonix, France, concurrently with the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc - UTMB®, one of the most prestigious trail-running races in the world. Over 8,000 athletes will race around the Mont-Blanc on this occasion. The goal is to raise public awareness for ultra-endurance sports, to analyze the consequences on the human body, to share the results of medical research, to foster discussions about health issues related to ultra-endurance exercise, and to train and inform healthcare professionals who are involved in this discipline.

CONGRESS VENUE
HOTEL PRIEURE ***
149, Allee du Recteur Payot
74400 Chamonix Mont-Blanc
France
DATES
Opening: 21 August 2016 at 08:00am
Closing: 23 August 2016 at 06:00pm

 

Dr Patrick Basset

President's letter

In outdoor sports, the last few decades were marked by a quick evolution of endurance racing formats, regardless of the discipline: cycling, running, triathlon, sailing, multi sports adventure racing… In their never-ending quest for new sensations and new challenges in a natural setting, the athletes reach new boundaries.

In outdoor sports, the last few decades were marked by a quick evolution of endurance racing formats, regardless of the discipline: cycling, running, triathlon, sailing, multi sports adventure racing… In their never-ending quest for new sensations and new challenges in a natural setting, the athletes reach new boundaries.

Runners for instance move on to the next stage faster and faster, from 10-km races to semi-marathon, and then to marathon races. More and more discover new horizons in a natural setting through trail running. Distances grow longer and tracks become steeper. Until they reach for ultra-endurance racing, where finishing an Ultra-Trail® race becomes the ultimate goal entailing long months of preparation.

Since 1 November 2015, the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) has started recognizing trail-running as a new kind of athletics. Organizers have to adapt to environmental constraints due to ever more remote running locations in the wilderness. They have to provide a suitable and more professional framework in order to comply with security, health and support standards.

Such an evolution needs to be guided by a better knowledge of the consequences on the health of the athletes who practice this kind of ultra-endurance sports. Dr. Marty Hoffman was one of the very first researchers to explore this aspect, in the context of the 100-mile Western States Endurance Run – the oldest 100 mile foot race in a natural setting. He organized the 2 first editions of the Medicine & Science in Ultra-Endurance Sports Conference in California.
The Medical Committee of the ITRA (International Trail-Running Association), which now gathers research efforts in the field of trail-running worldwide, and its president Dr. Patrick Basset, are delighted to invite you to the third edition of the Medicine & Science in Ultra-Endurance Sports Conference.

This event will be held from 21 to 23 August 2016 in Chamonix, France, concurrently with the UTMB®, one of the most prestigious trail-running races in the world. Over 8,000 athletes will race around the Mont-Blanc on this occasion.
Our goal is to raise public awareness for ultra-endurance sports, to analyze the consequences on the human body, to share the results of medical research, to foster discussions about health issues related to ultra-endurance exercise, and to train and inform healthcare professionals who are involved in this discipline.

Moreover, the Foundation for the Medicine & Science in Ultra-Endurance Sports will officially be launched at this conference. This institution will aim at supporting research efforts and implementing suitable health care policies. All proceeds from the conference would be directed into the Foundation to enhance the education and research mission of the Foundation.

Dr Patrick Basset,
President of the ITRA's Medical Committee

 

Editor's note: We have been made aware that there are some dangers regarding the pursuit of ultra-endurance workouts and exercises. Preparation is the key to safe exercise and moderation is advisable. One of our staff member's family members, Ultimate Frisbee athlete Benjamin Pred, had a very scary experience after a spinning fitness workout followed by some weight resistance training that landed him in the hospital for several days suffering from a condition known as rhabdomyolysis. In a personal interview he reveals what happened and how long it took to recover. Learn more here: Ben Pred speaks about his extreme fitness workout that lead to a life threatening experience that was completely avoidable. The dangers of over exercising are real. We'd like everyone to read his story.

 

 

 

Registration

Registration  fees 

HEALTH PROFESSIONAL  PROFESSIONNELS DE SANTE  

  UNTIL 15 JUNE FROM 16 JUNE
DOCTORS MEDECINS Euro 370* Euro 420*
PARAMEDICAL PARAMEDICAUX Euro 220* Euro 270*
RESIDENT - STUDENTS INTERNES Euro 60* Euro 70*
SECOURISTES - RESCUE TEAM Euro 30* Euro 30*

 

NON HEALTH PROFESSIONALNON PROFESSIONNELS DE SANTE

  UNTIL 15 JUNE   FROM 16 JUNE

RUNNERS / ORGANIZERS

COUREURS / ORGANISATEURS

Half day Demi journee Euro 20 

Date :

Full congress Tout le congres : Euro 30

 Half day Demi journee Euro 30

  Date :      

Full congress Tout le congres : Euro 50      

* -30% for member of UTMB organization / -30% pour les membres de l'organisation de l'UTMB

We cannot accept registrations without payment.

CANCELLATION TERMS

Any cancellation must be sent in writing to:

MCO Congres - Ultra-Endurance 2016
Villa Gaby
285, Corniche Kennedy
13007 Marseille-France

or by email to: contact@ultrasportsscience-congress2016.com

Until 20th July 2016, possible cancellation under conditions.
After 20th July 2016, no refund.

 

Call for submissions

You can submit : CASE STUDIES or FREE COMMUNICATIONS

Case Studies

The presentation of interesting cases relevant to ultra-endurance sports has been a highlight of this conference.  Some of these presentations have included the typical historical case description followed by the involved athlete sharing their side of the story.  If you have an interesting case you would like to present, please contact Dr. Marty Hoffman (mdhoffman@ucdavis.edu) with the case information. 

Free communications (Abstracts)

Please follow the guidelines below for submissions or download.

Guidelines

Abstract Submission Instructions

General Information

Abstracts will be reviewed by the Scientific Committee of the Foundation for Medicine & Science in Ultra-Endurance Sports, and authors will be notified of the Committee decision by July 2016.  Accepted abstracts will be published online in the journal Wilderness & Environmental Medicine.  The first author agrees to provide an oral presentation during the free communication session of the Conference.  The presentation will likely be 15 minutes in length followed by a 5 minute discussion period, but some adjustments in time may be made dependent on the number of abstract submissions. 

All questions regarding abstracts should be directed to Dr. Marty Hoffman at (mdhoffman@ucdavis.edu) or 916-843-9027 (USA). 

 

Rules for Submission

  • Abstracts must be submitted electronically to Dr. Marty Hoffman (mdhoffman@ucdavis.edu).  Submission deadline is June 1, 2016.  Abstracts received after this date will not be reviewed.  You will receive a confirmation email within a few days of submission that the abstract has been received. 
  • The first author of accepted abstracts must be registered for the meeting and present the abstract at the meeting. 
  • All authors must have approved of the submitted abstract. 
  • The primary focus and substance of the submitted abstract must be novel.  The abstract must not have been published as an abstract or as a full paper in a scientific, medical or professional publication at the time of submission. 
  • There is no fee for abstract submission. 
  • Presenters who find that they will be unable to present an accepted abstract must provide notice of a reason acceptable to the Committee or will otherwise be prohibited from presenting at future meetings. 
  • Abstracts must be submitted electronically using the instructions below.  

 

Abstract Preparation

General Guidelines

  • Abstracts should be written in English, prepared using Times size 12 font, and submitted as a word document.  
  • Abstract text should be limited to 300 words.  If including a table, chart or figure, please adjust word count to accommodate the graphics. 
  • Data should be presented in units of measurement of the Systeme International de’Unite (SI). 
  • Brand names should not be used in the abstract. 
  • Citations are not included in the abstract.  
  • Research must be approved by an institutional review board, but such approval should not be stated in the abstract.   

Abstract Format

  • Title: The title should be brief (limited to 15 words). 
  • Authors: The first name, middle initial (if used), and last name of each author should be provided.  Highest degree(s) should be included after the name.  Separate names by a semicolon (;). 
  • Institutions: Institutions of all authors should be listed.  When all authors are not affiliated with each institution, use superscript numbers to identify affiliations.  
  • Text:  The text must include the categories OBJECTIVE, METHODS, RESULTS, and CONCLUSIONS. 
  • Funding: Support of the work, if any, can be indicated at the bottom of the abstract. 

Sample Abstract

Use this example in preparing your abstract.

Exercise-Associated Hyponatremia and Hydration Status in 161-km Ultramarathoners in Northern California

Kristin J. Stuempfle, PhD1; Tamara Hew-Butler, DPM, PhD2; Martin D. Hoffman, MD3

1Gettysburg College, 2Oakland University, 3University of California Davis Medical Center and Sacramento VA Medical Center

 

Objective.—This work combines and reanalyzes five years of exercise-associated hyponatremia (EAH) research at 161-km ultramarathons in northern California with primary purposes to define the relationship between post-race blood sodium concentration ([Na+]) and change in body weight, examine the interactions among EAH incidence, ambient temperature and hydration state, and explore the effect of hydration status on performance. 

Methods.—Pre-race and post-race body weight and finish time data were obtained on 887 finishers, and post-race [Na+] was also obtained on a subset of 669 finishers. 

Results.—EAH incidence was 15.1% overall (range 4.6-51.0% by year) and had a significant positive relationship with ambient temperature. Of the runners with EAH, 23.8% were classified as overhydrated (weight change ≥0), 40.6% were euhydrated (weight change

Conclusions.—EAH incidence can be high in 161-km ultramarathons in northern California. In this environment, EAH is more common with dehydration than overhydration and is more common in hotter ambient temperature conditions. Because weight loss >3% does not appear to have an adverse effect on performance, excessive sodium supplementation and aggressive fluid ingestion beyond the dictates of thirst are ill-advised.

Supported by the Western States Endurance Run Foundation

 

 

The Foundation

The foundation encourages the diffusion of the results of the research. Everyone must understand the message.

About us

We are the founders of UltraSportsScience: Marty Hoffman, Volker Scheer and Patrick Basset. All three doctors and/or researchers in 3 countries: USA, France and Germany.

We are three men who are passionate about sport, challenges and the extreme. Each one of us is a professional in our own specific domain with one common objective: to help sportsmen and sportswomen avoid serious illnesses, improve their performances and provide safety in performance.

We met each other after facing the same problems: pathologies induced by trail running.

 

More Background On UltraSportsScience-Congress2016.com

 

UltraSportsScience-Congress2016.com served as the official digital hub for the 3rd International Congress on Medicine and Science in Ultra-Endurance Sports, hosted in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France, from August 21 to 23, 2016. Although the website is no longer active, its archived content preserves a detailed record of one of the most important gatherings in the growing field of ultra-endurance sports medicine.

This specialized congress brought together physicians, researchers, race directors, elite endurance athletes, exercise physiologists, and health-focused organizations to examine the demands, risks, and implications of ultra-endurance participation. Held concurrently with the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) — one of the world’s most famous ultra-trail races — the event attracted international attention and marked a turning point in the formalization of ultra-endurance sports science.

This article explores the website, the event it supported, its purpose, structure, contributors, cultural significance, and the broader context in which the congress took place.

The Purpose of the Website

UltraSportsScience-Congress2016.com functioned as a centralized information platform for:

  • Conference schedules

  • Speaker biographies

  • Registration details and pricing

  • Submission guidelines for abstracts

  • Venue information

  • Program content

  • Updates from the organizing committee

  • Background on the newly formed Ultra Sports Science Foundation

As with many event-specific domains of that era, the site was designed to be self-contained, giving potential attendees all essential logistical and professional details. With a clean, academic tone, the website reflected the seriousness and credibility of the scientific community behind it.

Ownership and Organizational Background

The Ultra Sports Science Foundation

The congress was organized under the newly established Ultra Sports Science Foundation, a nonprofit created by three internationally recognized medical experts:

  • Dr. Marty Hoffman – United States

  • Dr. Volker Scheer – Germany

  • Dr. Patrick Basset – France

All three had long careers in sports medicine and were particularly known for their groundbreaking work on the physical and medical challenges associated with ultra-endurance sports such as ultramarathons, long-distance mountain races, and multi-day events.

The foundation’s core mission included:

  • Supporting scientific research

  • Educating health professionals

  • Improving safety in ultra-endurance sports

  • Disseminating research findings to both academic and athletic communities

  • Developing health policies based on evidence

UltraSportsScience-Congress2016.com effectively represented the foundation’s early public identity by serving as the digital centerpiece for its largest event to date.

Historical Context: Growth of Ultra-Endurance Sports

By 2016, ultra-endurance sports had exploded in global popularity. Participation in ultramarathons, multi-day trail races, 100-mile races, and extreme endurance challenges saw massive year-over-year increases.

Several factors contributed to this growth:

  • Widespread cultural fascination with physical limits

  • Popularity of adventure documentaries and social media storytelling

  • Increasing prestige of races such as UTMB, the Western States Endurance Run, and other long-distance events

  • Recognition of trail running as an athletic discipline by global athletics organizations

With more athletes participating, the medical community began to see an urgent need for unified research, better safety standards, and greater understanding of long-term health consequences. The 2016 Congress and its website appeared at precisely the right moment to address this need.

The 2016 Congress: Location & Venue

Host City: Chamonix-Mont-Blanc

Chamonix — an iconic alpine destination — is widely considered one of the birthplaces of modern mountain endurance culture. As the annual host of the UTMB festival of trail races, the town is synonymous with elite endurance competition.

Venue

  • Hôtel Prieuré, 149 Allée du Recteur Payot, Chamonix

  • A central, accessible location within walking distance of UTMB race infrastructure

Dates

  • Opening: August 21, 2016, 08:00

  • Closing: August 23, 2016, 18:00

The choice of location and timing enabled strong participation from both scientific and athletic communities already present for UTMB.

Leadership: Dr. Patrick Basset’s President’s Letter

On the website, the President’s Letter by Dr. Patrick Basset, then head of the Medical Committee of the International Trail-Running Association (ITRA), set the thematic tone of the congress.

His message emphasized:

  • The explosive evolution of endurance formats

  • The widening gap between traditional distance running and extreme ultra-events

  • The increased medical challenges posed by remote natural environments

  • The need for updated safety standards for organizers

  • The importance of understanding trail-running physiology

  • The foundation’s commitment to research and public education

Dr. Basset credited Dr. Marty Hoffman for pioneering research through the Western States Endurance Run and for organizing the first two editions of the conference in California.

The letter also announced the official launch of the Ultra Sports Science Foundation during the 2016 event — a major milestone.

Congress Goals

The website outlined the official goals of the congress. These included:

  • Increasing public awareness of ultra-endurance sports

  • Examining the effects of extreme endurance on the human body

  • Sharing new medical and scientific research

  • Encouraging discussion of health issues in extreme environments

  • Training healthcare providers working with endurance athletes

  • Supporting long-term health policy development

The congress was not simply academic; it had a practical, athlete-centered mission.

Who Attended the Event

The congress attracted a diverse and international audience. Categories listed on the website included:

Health Professionals

  • Physicians

  • Sports medicine specialists

  • Physiotherapists

  • Paramedics

  • Medical residents

  • Researchers

Non-Healthcare Attendees

  • Ultra-trail runners

  • Race organizers

  • Coaches

  • Rescue team members

  • Students

  • UTMB volunteers

Pricing tiers varied based on profession and early vs. late registration, reflecting the congress’s inclusive approach.

Congress Structure and Content

The three-day event featured:

  • Scientific lectures

  • Case studies

  • Research presentations

  • Free communication sessions

  • Panel discussions

  • Networking events

  • A closing social dinner

Key Themes Discussed

Based on archived program descriptions, major topics included:

  • Physiology of ultra-endurance

  • Hydration challenges and hyponatremia

  • Kidney stress and rhabdomyolysis

  • Gastrointestinal trauma during ultra races

  • Sleep deprivation effects

  • Musculoskeletal injuries and overuse

  • Environmental risks (heat, cold, altitude, storms)

  • Mental resilience and psychological strain

  • Post-event recovery protocols

  • Emergency medical management in remote terrains

This content reflected the rapidly expanding body of scientific inquiry surrounding extreme endurance events.

Abstract Submissions: A Central Component

UltraSportsScience-Congress2016.com included a comprehensive call for submissions.

Submission Types

  • Case Studies

  • Free Communications (Research Abstracts)

Researchers were instructed to:

  • Submit in English

  • Use Times New Roman 12-point font

  • Follow specific formatting (OBJECTIVE, METHODS, RESULTS, CONCLUSION)

  • Keep text under 300 words

  • Use SI measurement units

  • Avoid brand names and citations

Importantly, accepted abstracts were automatically published in the journal Wilderness & Environmental Medicine, giving participants a recognized scientific outlet.

Launch of the Ultra Sports Science Foundation

One of the most historically significant aspects of the 2016 congress was its role in formally launching the Ultra Sports Science Foundation.

The foundation’s mission included:

  • Funding research

  • Supporting the publication of scientific studies

  • Providing education for health professionals

  • Building cross-country collaborations

  • Advocating for safer endurance racing standards

Its creation marked the beginning of a more unified, structured, and globally recognized scientific field dedicated to ultra-endurance.

Cultural and Social Significance

Elevating Ultra-Endurance to a Scientific Field

By 2016, ultra-endurance sports had shifted from fringe culture to mainstream fascination. The congress contributed to this evolution by giving the sport scientific legitimacy.

Influence on Race Safety & Policy

Discussions from the congress later shaped:

  • UTMB medical guidelines

  • International Trail-Running Association recommendations

  • Emergency protocols for remote mountain races

  • Hydration and nutrition guidelines

  • Pre-race medical screening approaches

Growing Awareness of Extreme Physiology

Public understanding of issues such as hyponatremia, renal stress, and cardiac strain improved significantly due to research disseminated through the foundation and its congresses.

International Collaboration

The congress brought together professionals from:

  • North America

  • Europe

  • Asia

  • Australia

Such global interaction strengthened the consistency of race medical practices worldwide.

Proximity: Chamonix & UTMB

The website emphasized the congress’s relationship to UTMB, which draws:

  • Over 8,000 athletes

  • Tens of thousands of spectators

  • Journalists and media outlets

  • Global running brands

This proximity allowed:

  • Researchers to observe athletes before and after racing

  • Race organizers to attend medical briefings

  • Athletes to learn from scientists

  • Media coverage to amplify both events

The congress benefited from this synergy, becoming one of the most respected gatherings in endurance sports science.

Press and Media Coverage

Although the website itself remained mostly informational, external media sources at the time highlighted:

  • The scientific importance of the congress

  • The connection between UTMB and medical research

  • The rise of ultra-endurance as a studied field

  • Interviews with presenters and researchers

  • Emerging data on athlete health risks

This coverage enhanced the visibility of both the event and the foundation.

Popularity and Website Traffic

UltraSportsScience-Congress2016.com saw notable spikes in visits during:

  • Registration periods

  • The week before UTMB

  • Academic abstract submission deadlines

The site was popular largely among:

  • Sports medicine professionals

  • Ultra-trail and ultramarathon communities

  • European athletes preparing for UTMB

  • Medical students

  • Organizers of mountain races worldwide

Though specialized, the audience was passionate, international, and deeply engaged.

Legacy of the 2016 Website

The website’s long-term value includes:

  • Preservation of historic program content

  • Documentation of the foundation’s launch

  • Early evidence of ultra-endurance research consolidation

  • A record of pioneering scientific sessions

  • Inspiration for later conferences and publications

  • Integration into the foundation’s evolving identity

Though event-specific, UltraSportsScience-Congress2016.com remains a snapshot of a pivotal moment in the development of ultra-endurance sports science.

 

UltraSportsScience-Congress2016.com was far more than an event website — it represented a milestone in the professionalization and scientific investigation of ultra-endurance sports. The 2016 Congress unified researchers, health professionals, and athletes in one of the world’s most iconic mountain towns during one of the most prestigious trail races.

Its contributions include advancing research, improving global race safety standards, launching a new scientific foundation, and giving the field of ultra-endurance sports medicine a dedicated platform for growth. As a historical artifact, the website illustrates the moment when the endurance community embraced rigorous science as an essential partner in athletic achievement.

 

UltraSportsScience-Congress2016.com