Background and Objectives: Physical activity has a positive impact on health, and the participation in exercise and sports, including marathons, has increased in popularity. This kind of sport requires extreme endurance, which can cause different health problems and even lead to death. Participants without sufficient preparation and, in particular, men 45 years of age and older belong to a high risk group. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of marathons and cofactors associated with marathons on the recovery of heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) of non-professional ≥ 45 years old male marathoners. Materials andMethods: A total of 136 ≥ 45 year old, non-professional (amateur marathoner), male participants were recruited. Data collection involved a questionnaire, body composition measures, and BP and HR results before and after finishing the marathon. Descriptive data, t-test, Mann-Whitney or χ2 test, and Pearson's correlation were applied. Results: Participants (skiing n = 81, cycling n = 29, running n = 26; mean age 51.7 ± 7.1 years old) had previously attended a median of 35 (IQR 17.5-66) marathons and travelled 2111.5 (IQR 920-4565) km. Recovery of HR and BP after finishing and recovery time was insufficient and not associated with marathon preparation. Running was the most burdensome for HR, and cycling was most taxing for BP. Chronic diseases did not influence participation in the marathon. Conclusions: The preparation for the marathon was mainly sufficient, but recovery after the marathon was worrisome. Marathons are demanding for ≥45 year old males and may be too strenuous an activity that has deleterious effects on health.
Keywords: blood pressure; body composition; heart rate; non-professional marathoners; nutrition.