Effect of mountain ultramarathon distance competition on biochemical variables, respiratory and lower-limb fatigue

PLoS One. 2020 Sep 11;15(9):e0238846. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238846. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

The study aimed at assessing the acute physiological effects of running a 65-km vs a 107-km mountain ultramarathon. Nineteen athletes (15 males and 4 females) from the shorter race and forty three athletes (26 males and 17 females) from the longer race were enrolled. Body weight, respiratory and lower limb strength were assessed before and after the race. Blood samples were obtained before, after and 24-h post-race. Body weight loss did not differ between races. A decrease in squat jump height (p<0.01; d = 1.4), forced vital capacity (p<0.01; d = 0.5), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (p<0.01; d = 0.6), peak inspiratory flow (p<0.01; d = 0.6) and maximal inspiratory pressure (p<0.01; d = 0.8) was observed after the longer race; while, after the shorter race only maximal inspiratory pressure declined (p<0.01; d = 0.5). Greater post-race concentrations of creatine kinase (p<0.01; d = 0.9) and C-reactive protein (p<0.01; d = 2.3) were observed following the longer race, while high-sensitivity cardiac troponin was higher after the shorter race (p<0.01; d = 0.3). Sodium decreased post-competition only after the shorter race (p = 0.02; d = 0.6), while creatinine increased only following the longer race (p<0.01; d = 1.5). In both groups, glomerular filtration rate declined at post-race (longer race: p<0.01, d = 2.1; shorter race: p = 0.01, d = 1.4) and returned to baseline values at 24 h post-race. In summary, expiratory and lower-limb fatigue, and muscle damage and inflammatory response were greater following the longer race; while a higher release of cardiac troponins was observed after the shorter race. The alteration and restoration of renal function was similar after either race.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Athletes / statistics & numerical data
  • Biomarkers / blood*
  • Creatine Kinase / blood
  • Creatinine / blood
  • Fatigue / physiopathology*
  • Female
  • Forced Expiratory Volume
  • Humans
  • Lower Extremity / physiopathology*
  • Lung / physiopathology*
  • Male
  • Muscle Strength*
  • Physical Endurance / physiology*
  • Respiratory Function Tests
  • Running*
  • Vital Capacity

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Creatinine
  • Creatine Kinase

Grants and funding

This study was supported by Vithas Hospitals group (https://vithas.es) in the form of blood analysis assistance provided to CH, Penyagolosa Trails organization (http://penyagolosatrails.com) in the form of blood analysis assistance provided to CH, Catedra Endavant Villarreal CF de l’Esport (https://endavant.villarrealcf.es/) in the form of equipment for respiratory and lower-limb assessment provided to CH, and AITEX (https://www.aitex.es/) in the form of a grant and blood analysis assistance provided to IMN (TPTex project; reference: IMDEEA/2019/53). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.