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Acute Kidney Injury and Ultra-endurance Running

The Incidence and Severity of Acute Kidney Injury in Ultrarunners Competing in the Western States Endurance Run

Who can join

Ages 18 to 50 · All sexes · Healthy volunteers welcome

Inclusion Criteria:

* Running in the Western States Endurance Run in either 2026, 2027 or 2028
* No contraindications to exercise as indicated by the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q+) as prepared by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
* Not currently taking medicine or experiencing illness that may influence the cardiovascular or neuromuscular system
* Age ≥18 and ≤ 50 years old and injury free (skeletal muscle) for \> 3 months

Exclusion Criteria:

* Minors (under 18)
* Adults who are unable to consent (impaired decision-making capacity)
* Prisoners
* Pregnant Women
* Individuals with known kidney disease, or are on any medication that specifically effects kidney function (e.g., diuretics)

About the study

This study aims to understand how participating in the Western States Endurance Run (WSER), a 100-mile ultramarathon, affects kidney health. Long, strenuous exercise in hot conditions can temporarily strain the kidneys, especially when combined with dehydration, muscle breakdown, and the use of common pain-relief medications such as ibuprofen. Although kidney stress has been reported in endurance sports, no study has examined it directly in runners during the WSER using newer, more sensitive urine markers of kidney injury. Runners who volunteer will complete brief assessments before and after the race. These include providing a urine sample, a small finger-prick blood sample, a body-weight measurement, and answering a short questionnaire about pain-medication use. During the race, participants will wear a global positioning system (GPS) watch and heart-rate strap to monitor effort. Each assessment takes about 15 minutes, and no follow-up is required. Findings from this study will help determine how often kidney stress occurs in this event and what factors may contribute to it, ultimately supporting safer training and medical practices for ultramarathon athletes.

What is being tested

• Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCO3) (dietary supplement)
• Placebo (dietary supplement)

Sponsor: Arizona State University · Participants: 30 · Started: Jun 27, 2026

Contact the study team

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT07519408

Locations in the U.S.

Conditions

• Acute Kidney Injury

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Nov 15, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.