Abstract
Objective Olfactory function, a cognitive impairment biomarker, was evaluated in mountain ultramarathon (MUM) runners during the Tor des Géants race (332.5 km with an overall altitude gain of 24,000 m; altitude range 330-3296 m above the sea). Methods An Odor Identification Test was administered before (T0; n = 53), at 148.7 kms (T1; n = 32) and after the race (T2; n = 28). The effect of dehydration and sleep deprivation on olfactory function was assessed. Olfactory function was also assessed in non-MUM athletes and sedentary controls (C) at rest. Results A majority of the athletes completed the olfactory test at all time intervals. Olfactory function decreased throughout the race (T0: 13.8 ± 1.9, T1: 13.7 ± 1.6, T2: 13.1 ± 1.8; T0 vs T2 P =.01). There was no relationship with race time or sleep deprivation on the sense of smell throughout the competition. However, there was a combined effect with decreased olfaction during the second half of the race, while a poor relationship was seen between olfaction and total body water at midterm (T1: rs = -0.427; P =.019), but not at baseline or after the race. MUM athletes had similar olfactory scores to C (13.8 ± 1.9 vs 13.7 ± 1.4) and non-MUM (13.8 ± 1.9 vs 13.9 ± 1.6) athletes. Conclusions This pilot study showed the feasibility of olfactory evaluation as a minimally invasive cognitive impairment assessment. The test can be used in logistically difficult environments, adding scientific value to this promising method. Although olfaction decreased after prolonged physical activity, further studies are warranted to make the relationship between cognition and external factors (eg, sleep deprivation, dehydration) more clear.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 131-135 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Wilderness and Environmental Medicine |
| Volume | 27 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Mar 1 2016 |
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Keywords
- altitude
- dementia
- nervous system diseases
- psychophysiology
- running
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
- Emergency Medicine
Cite this
A novel application for cognitive evaluation in mountain ultramarathons : Olfactory assessment. / Tonacci, Alessandro; Billeci, Lucia; Tartarisco, Gennaro; Mastorci, Francesca; Borghini, Andrea; Mrakic-Sposta, Simona; Moretti, Sarah; Vezzoli, Alessandra; Faraguna, Ugo; Pioggia, Giovanni; Guido, Giardini; Pratali, Lorenza.
In: Wilderness and Environmental Medicine, Vol. 27, No. 1, 01.03.2016, p. 131-135.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - A novel application for cognitive evaluation in mountain ultramarathons
T2 - Olfactory assessment
AU - Tonacci, Alessandro
AU - Billeci, Lucia
AU - Tartarisco, Gennaro
AU - Mastorci, Francesca
AU - Borghini, Andrea
AU - Mrakic-Sposta, Simona
AU - Moretti, Sarah
AU - Vezzoli, Alessandra
AU - Faraguna, Ugo
AU - Pioggia, Giovanni
AU - Guido, Giardini
AU - Pratali, Lorenza
PY - 2016/3/1
Y1 - 2016/3/1
N2 - Objective Olfactory function, a cognitive impairment biomarker, was evaluated in mountain ultramarathon (MUM) runners during the Tor des Géants race (332.5 km with an overall altitude gain of 24,000 m; altitude range 330-3296 m above the sea). Methods An Odor Identification Test was administered before (T0; n = 53), at 148.7 kms (T1; n = 32) and after the race (T2; n = 28). The effect of dehydration and sleep deprivation on olfactory function was assessed. Olfactory function was also assessed in non-MUM athletes and sedentary controls (C) at rest. Results A majority of the athletes completed the olfactory test at all time intervals. Olfactory function decreased throughout the race (T0: 13.8 ± 1.9, T1: 13.7 ± 1.6, T2: 13.1 ± 1.8; T0 vs T2 P =.01). There was no relationship with race time or sleep deprivation on the sense of smell throughout the competition. However, there was a combined effect with decreased olfaction during the second half of the race, while a poor relationship was seen between olfaction and total body water at midterm (T1: rs = -0.427; P =.019), but not at baseline or after the race. MUM athletes had similar olfactory scores to C (13.8 ± 1.9 vs 13.7 ± 1.4) and non-MUM (13.8 ± 1.9 vs 13.9 ± 1.6) athletes. Conclusions This pilot study showed the feasibility of olfactory evaluation as a minimally invasive cognitive impairment assessment. The test can be used in logistically difficult environments, adding scientific value to this promising method. Although olfaction decreased after prolonged physical activity, further studies are warranted to make the relationship between cognition and external factors (eg, sleep deprivation, dehydration) more clear.
AB - Objective Olfactory function, a cognitive impairment biomarker, was evaluated in mountain ultramarathon (MUM) runners during the Tor des Géants race (332.5 km with an overall altitude gain of 24,000 m; altitude range 330-3296 m above the sea). Methods An Odor Identification Test was administered before (T0; n = 53), at 148.7 kms (T1; n = 32) and after the race (T2; n = 28). The effect of dehydration and sleep deprivation on olfactory function was assessed. Olfactory function was also assessed in non-MUM athletes and sedentary controls (C) at rest. Results A majority of the athletes completed the olfactory test at all time intervals. Olfactory function decreased throughout the race (T0: 13.8 ± 1.9, T1: 13.7 ± 1.6, T2: 13.1 ± 1.8; T0 vs T2 P =.01). There was no relationship with race time or sleep deprivation on the sense of smell throughout the competition. However, there was a combined effect with decreased olfaction during the second half of the race, while a poor relationship was seen between olfaction and total body water at midterm (T1: rs = -0.427; P =.019), but not at baseline or after the race. MUM athletes had similar olfactory scores to C (13.8 ± 1.9 vs 13.7 ± 1.4) and non-MUM (13.8 ± 1.9 vs 13.9 ± 1.6) athletes. Conclusions This pilot study showed the feasibility of olfactory evaluation as a minimally invasive cognitive impairment assessment. The test can be used in logistically difficult environments, adding scientific value to this promising method. Although olfaction decreased after prolonged physical activity, further studies are warranted to make the relationship between cognition and external factors (eg, sleep deprivation, dehydration) more clear.
KW - altitude
KW - dementia
KW - nervous system diseases
KW - psychophysiology
KW - running
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84959539987&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84959539987&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.wem.2015.11.013
DO - 10.1016/j.wem.2015.11.013
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84959539987
VL - 27
SP - 131
EP - 135
JO - Wilderness and Environmental Medicine
JF - Wilderness and Environmental Medicine
SN - 1080-6032
IS - 1
ER -