Not yet recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Evaluation of a Training Recommendation Strategy for Trail Runners.

This research is trying to find the best training methods for trail runners. It aims to develop training advice that helps athletes perform at their peak without causing injuries or mental strain. Because every runner is different, the study uses clever computer programs (like artificial intelligence) to create unique, personalised training plans. These plans consider things like your past training, current fitness, age, and gender. What's more, the training advice can change in real-time based on how you're feeling, your fatigue levels, and feedback from your recent runs. The goal is to recommend the perfect amount of training and the right intensity to help you reach your specific running goals, whether that's hitting a certain time or finishing a tough race.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Saint Etienne

Enrolment target

1,209

Start

01 Mar 2026

Estimated completion

01 Dec 2027

Endurance Training

What is this study about?

This study is all about helping trail runners train smarter and more effectively. Imagine a training plan that's perfectly suited just for you, helping you get faster and stronger without putting too much strain on your body or mind. That's exactly what researchers are trying to achieve with this project.

They know that everyone is different – your fitness, your past training, and even how you feel on any given day. So, a one-size-fits-all training plan often isn't the best approach. This study explores how new technologies, like artificial intelligence (often shortened to AI), can create really smart, tailor-made training advice. These computer programs can look at lots of information, such as your running history, your current fitness level, your age, and whether you're male or female. The aim is to recommend the ideal amount of training and the right intensity for your specific goals, like completing a race or achieving a personal best time.

Crucially, this new training approach isn't just personalised; it's also 'adaptive'. This means the training plan can actually change as you go along. For example, if a computer sees you're feeling particularly tired based on certain measurements (like your heart rate variability) or your feedback, it might suggest an easier session. This could help prevent overtraining, reduce the risk of injury, and generally keep you feeling good while you work towards your running goals.

Key takeaways

This study evaluates new, smart ways to create personalised training plans for trail runners.
It uses artificial intelligence (AI) to adapt training advice to each runner's unique needs and feelings.
The goal is to help runners achieve their best performance while staying healthy and injury-free.
Participants will follow a specific training plan and share their running data from a sports watch.
The study aims to make training more effective and safer by tailoring it in real-time.
You must be an experienced trail runner, aged 18-65, without certain medical conditions to take part.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be a trail runner aged between 18 and 65 years old. You should have been competing in trail running for at least a year and have an official 'ITRA performance index', which is a way of measuring your ability. You also need to be planning to take part in at least one official ITRA-listed race in the second half of the study period.

You'll need to own a special sports watch that can record your training sessions, and be happy to share all your training data for runs longer than 10 minutes. Most importantly, you shouldn't have any medical conditions that would make trail running unsafe, and you must freely agree in writing to take part.

There are some reasons why you wouldn't be able to join. These include having long-term joint problems like recurring sprains, knee issues, or heart conditions. People with certain brain or nerve conditions, or those who are legally restricted from making their own decisions, also can't take part.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 18 and 65 years old?
Have you been competitively trail running for at least one year?
Do you have an ITRA performance index?
Are you planning to run an ITRA-indexed race in the later part of the study?
Do you own a sports watch and are you happy to share all your running data?
Do you have any serious ongoing joint, heart, or nerve problems?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

The detailed information for participation in this study, including specific visits, assessments, medication, follow-up, and total duration, is not provided in the brief summary or detailed description. However, based on the information available, it would involve:

* **Training and Data Sharing:** You would be expected to follow specific training recommendations provided by the study, which would be either a general plan, a personalised plan, or an adaptive personalised plan. This would require you to consistently record all your training sessions longer than 10 minutes using your own sports watch and share this data with the researchers. * **Goal Setting and Feedback:** You would likely have specific running goals (e.g., completing an event, achieving a certain time) that the training is designed to help you reach. For the adaptive training, you would also probably provide feedback on how you're feeling (e.g., stress levels, fatigue) to help the computer adjust your plan. * **Race Participation:** You would be expected to run at least one ITRA-indexed race during the study period to evaluate the effectiveness of the training recommendations. * **Duration:** The study specifies intending to run a race in the "second half of the follow-up period," suggesting there will be an initial training period followed by a race. The exact total duration is not stated.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in a study like this may offer potential benefits, such as receiving personalised training advice that could help you improve your trail running performance and potentially reduce your risk of injury by optimising your training load. However, as with any exercise programme, there are always potential risks, including the possibility of injury, fatigue, or not achieving your desired performance. The aim of this research is to minimise risks through its adaptive and personalised approach. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care or your running activities outside the study.

Locations (1)

Unités de Myologie et de Médecine du Sport
Verified postcode
Saint-Etienne, France

Common questions

What kind of training plans will I get?

You might get a general training plan, a personalised plan based on your history, or a smart adaptive plan that adjusts as you go, depending on which group you're in.

Do I need special equipment?

Yes, you'll need to own a sports watch that records your training and be willing to share that information with the researchers.

How long will the study last?

The exact length isn't detailed, but you'll train for a period and then be expected to complete a trail race in the second half of the study.

Will my training be safe?

The study aims to provide training that improves performance while also looking after your physical and mental well-being, but as with any exercise, injuries are always a possibility.

Can I leave the study if I change my mind?

Yes, you are free to leave the study at any point, for any reason, without it affecting you.

How to find out more

Leonard FEASSON, MD PhD

leonard.feasson@chu-saint-etienne.fr (0)4 77 12 03 83 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.