Recommendations on Youth Participation in Ultra-Endurance Running Events: A Consensus Statement Participation in ultra-run events takes over all ages, including adolescent athletes. The 50 and 100 km routes are the most popular routes in adolescent athletes.Most youthful athletes are between 16 and 18 years old.However, some runners under 12 years have successfully completed ultra running events. Parents, athletes, coaches, race guides and physicians are often looking for advice on the safety of adolescent athletes participating in these events, especially with regard to possible short and long-term health.Ultra-run can affect important organ systems during growth and development. We propose a decision-making process based on the current knowledge and experience of the consensus group and with age rules, medical and psychological well-being, training status and racial factors (route length, height differences, remoteness of the event, temperatures, medical care, support by the organizer)until evidence for the long-term consequences of ultra-run in young athletes are available.
These recommendations go to a secure participation in ultra-run events for adolescent athletes with a reasonable and individual evaluation. The whole work can be found under https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33704697/