Conditioning Preparation for Multi-Stage Events – The Example of the Marathon des Sables – Part 1
by Gary Stebbing, PGDIP, CSCS,*D
NSCA Coach
October 2025
Vol 12, Issue 2
This article explores the expanding role of strength and conditioning coaches in preparing athletes for ultra endurance and extreme adventure sports.
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This article originally appeared in NSCA Coach, a quarterly publication for NSCA Members that provides valuable takeaways for every level of strength and conditioning coach. You can find scientifically based articles specific to a wide variety of your athletes’ needs with Nutrition, Programming, and Youth columns. Read more articles from NSCA Coach »
REFERENCES
- Anderson, T, van Mourik, RA, Martin, KJ, Eijsvogels, TMH, and Longoria, KA. 100 long distance triathlons in 100 days: A case study on ultra endurance, biomarkers, and physiological outcomes. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance 18(4): 444-453, 2023.
- Barber, E. 2024 Marathon des Sables Legendary results: Rachid El Morabity and Aziza El Amrany victorious. Retrieved April 14, 2025, from https://www.irunfar.com/2024-marathon-des-sableslegendary-results.
- Berger, NJA, Best, R, Best, AW, Lane, AM, Millet, GY, Barwood, M, et al. Limits of ultra: Towards an interdisciplinary understanding of ultra-endurance running performance. Sports Medicine 54: 73-93, 2024.
- Cotter, JD, and Tipton, MJ. Moving in extreme environments – What’s extreme and who decides. Extreme Physiology and Medicine 3: 11, 2014.
- Fox, BD, Judge, LW, Dickin, C, and Wang, H. Biomechanics of military load carriage and resulting musculoskeletal injury: A review. Journal of Orthopedics and Orthopedic Surgery 1(1): 6-11, 2020.
- Ioannou, LG, Nybo, L, Tsianos, GI, and Flouris, AD. Habitual heat exposure and acclimatisation associated with athletic performance in the multistage marathon des sables. Journal of Human Performance in Extreme Environments 14(1): 9, 2018.
- Ioannou, LG, Tsoutsoubi, L, Tsinans, GI, and Flouris, AD. Psychophysical load during the multistage Marathon des Sables: A case study. Journal of Human Performance in Extreme Environments. 18(1): 7, 2023.
- Jeffries, AC, Marcora, SM, Coutts, AJ, Wallace, L, McCall, A, and Impellizzeri, FM. Development of a revised conceptual framework of physical training for use in research and practice. Sports Medicine 52: 709-724, 2022.
- Knopp, M, Appelhans, D, Schonfelder, M, Seiler, S, and Wackerhage, H. Quantitative analysis of 92 12-week sub-elite marathon training plans. Sports Medicine 10: 50, 2024.
- Lucas, SJ, Anglem, N, Roberts, WS, Anson, JG, Palmer, CD, Walker, RJ, et al. Intensity and physiological strain of competitive ultra endurance exercise in humans. Journal of Sports Sciences 26(5): 477-489, 2007.
- Marathon des Sables. Marathon des Sables Legendary 2024 - Ranking overall. Retrieved April 14, 2025, from https:// Livetrail.Net/Histo/Marathondessables_2024/Classement.Php?Course=MDS&Cat=Scratch.
- Marathon des Sables. Retrieved April 14, 2025, from https://www.marathondessables.com/mds-legendary.
- Millet, GY, Banfi, JC, Kerherve, H, Morin, JB, Estrade, C, Geyssant, A, et al. Physiological and biological factors associated with a 24 h treadmill ultra-marathon performance. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports 21(1): 54-61, 2009.
- Romer, T, Rust, CA, Zingg, MA, Rosemann, T, and Knechtle, B. Age and ultra-marathon performance – 50 to 1000 km distances from 1969-2012. SpringerPlus 3(1): 693, 2014.
- Scheer, V, and Krabak, BJ. Musculoskeletal injuries in ultra-endurance running: A scoping review. Frontiers in Physiology 12: 664071, 2021.
- Smith, DJ. A framework for understanding the training process leading to elite performance. Sports Medicine 33(15): 1103-1126, 2003.
- Wackerhage, H, and Schoenfeld, B. Personalised, evidence-informed training plans and exercise prescriptions for performance, fitness and health. Sports Medicine 51: 1805-1813, 2021.
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Keywords:
Mental Health Musculoskeletal Heath Recovery Endurance Training Sport Performance Marathon des Sables (MdS) Training Volume
Mental Health Musculoskeletal Heath Recovery Endurance Training Sport Performance Marathon des Sables (MdS) Training Volume
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