Introduction:

the presence of women in ultramarathon competitions is observed with increasing frequency. Physiological adaptations and response to maximum effort are differentiated influenced by sex.

Objectives:

to evaluate the differences observed in ultramarathon or ultratrail athletes (mountain races over 42 km) at rest (physiological adaptations) and at post-effort (exercise-induced cardiac fatigue-FCIE), stratified by training parameters.

Material and methods:

twenty-five athletes (women n 6) who participated in the Mendoza crossing race (55 km in the mountains) were recruited, being evaluated before and after the end of the race using Doppler echocardiography and myocardial deformation techniques (post-processing). Through sports watches, parameters during training and running are documented. Immediate post-effort blood collection was performed to document variables associated with cardiac fatigue.

Results:

24 athletes completed the race, 19 men (42 ± 12 years) and 5 women (38 ± 4 years). The women presented similar training loads and completed the test with no difference in time compared to the men. Decreased left myocardial function parameters (exercise-induced cardiac fatigue) were observed in 50% of men and 5% of women.

Conclusions:

Despite not finding differences in training characteristics, less baseline physiological adaptation and a lower incidence of exercise-induced cardiac fatigue were observed in women.