Running is a good way to stay fit. This is an undeniable statement. Running additionally improves cardiovascular health, muscle mass, and even bone density, as well as reducing stress levels. There's a lot to be said for running, especially if you are not nearly as physically active as you should be.
That's not to say that running is without any risk. In fact, amateur marathon runners who run less than 64 km each week during training often show signs of cardiac dysfunction after the race.
This is the finding of a study published in the European Heart Journal. Some of these abnormalities may persist for up to a month after the runners crossed the finish line. Scary, no?
The findings were based on a study of 20 amateur athletes who ran the 2003 Boston Marathon and underwent an echocardiography (ultrasound imaging of the heart) prior to, immediately after, and about one month after running the grueling 42 km race.
As to what the research team revealed, persons who run less than 64 km per week prior to taking part in a marathon can experience temporary heart muscle weakness and increased pressure in the lung arteries — pointing to a lack of training, and gradually building up strength and stamina, as the root cause of the problem.
The study further mentioned that individuals who consistently ran longer than 72 km per week showed no such signs of damage after completing the marathon. It is known that changes occur in the heart with prolonged and repetitive physical training, as shown in previous medical research. The changes include enlargement of the heart chambers and increased thickness of the heart muscles.
Most studies agree that these changes are physiologic and that the heart function is still preserved. The particular study of Boston athletes indicated that changes in some aspects of heart function can be detected using a new imaging technique which is more sensitive than the conventional methods. However, these changes are largely transient and the clinical significance of this observation is not clear.
Based on the study involving Boston marathon athletes, some of the changes the researchers noted in the runners included evidence of abnormalities in both the systolic function (the heart’s pumping ability) and the diastolic function (the heart’s ability to relax during beats). All of the systolic abnormalities normalized fairly quickly, but the diastolic abnormalities persisted for up to one month after the race, indicating an inherent alteration in the heart’s ability to relax.
According to a senior consultant cardiologist, some of the observations collected in the study may actually represent attempts by the heart to better adapt to the demands of prolonged strenuous exercise. She also added that there is no proof of heart damage or long-term consequences.
Read More: Strenuous Running and Endorphins
Nevertheless, there are many instances when people who are healthy and have no prior heart-related problems just dropped death after marathon or long-range running. The observational study reinforces the view that one should be adequately trained and conditioned before embarking on endurance sports. Preparation must be done at least 4 to 6 months prior to the actual event with regular intervals for training and rest.
In conclusion, we should do all things in moderation, including exercise.
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