Researchers have found that after an extremely long race, ultramarathoners’ red blood cells are less elastic, which may reduce their ability to carry oxygen effectively. Running is one of the most researched forms of exercise, and its benefits for the heart and circulation are well documented. But nothing must be overdone. And extreme sports for most people – although there are exceptions – are simply harmful.
It is clear from extensive research that 150 minutes of running per week of moderate intensity improves life expectancy in health and brings significant benefits for longevity. However, the authors of the new research warn that extremely long runs can lead to the breakdown of red blood cells and potentially anemia.
In a study published in the journal Blood Red Cells & Iron, they looked at twenty-three runners before and after the Martigny–Combes à Chamonix (40 kilometers) and Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (171 kilometers) races. The researchers analyzed thousands of proteins, lipids, metabolites and trace elements in plasma and red blood cells.
According to lead author Travis Nemkov, participation in such events can cause general inflammation in the body and damage red blood cells. The changes his team observed in runners running a 40-kilometer course, they were even more pronounced in runners who completed the 171-kilometer course.
“Somewhere between the marathon and the ultramarathon, the damage really starts to show. We don’t know how long it takes for the body to repair that damage, whether it has a long-term impact, and whether that impact is good or bad.” adds Nemkov.
“This study shows that extreme endurance exercise shifts red blood cells toward accelerated aging through mechanisms that resemble what we observe in blood storage,” said co-author Angelo D’Alessandro of the University of Colorado.
