Abstract
Adrenal-sympathico function, blood carbohydrates and lipids, and water and electrolyte balance were studied in six highly trained male marathon runners prior to and after running a marathon (26.2 miles; 42.2 km) and on control days corresponding to the above times. Fluid intake was not sufficient to maintain body weight, the runners losing approximately 2.8 kg. Estimated plasma volume losses (161 ml, 4.4%) indicated that most of the fluid loss was extravascular.T re rose an average 2.4° C and a significant negative correlation between running time and rise inT re was observed. Glucose, free fatty acids, glycerol, hemoglobin, and plasma proteins were significantly elevated after the race. Small but statistically significant increments in lactate and pyruvate were also observed. Alterations in adrenalsympathico function were indicated by increased levels of cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Banister, E. W., Griffiths, J.: Blood levels of adrenergic amines during exercise. J. appl. Physiol.33, 674–676 (1972)
Bassler, T. J.: Letter to editor. Lancet1972 II, 711–712
Campuzano, H. C., Wilkerson, J. E., Horvath, S. M.: Fluorometric analysis of epinephrine and norepinephrine. Analyt. Biochem.64, 578–587 (1975)
Campuzano, H. C., Wilkerson, J. E., Raven, P. B., Schabram, T., Horvath, S. M.: A radioimmunoassay for cortisol in humans. Biochem. Med.7, 350–362 (1973)
Costill, D. L.: Metabolic responses during distance running. J. appl. Physiol.28, 251–255 (1970)
Costill, D. L., Fox, E. L.: Energetics of marathon running. Med. Sci. Sports1, 81–86 (1969)
Crosby, W. H., Furth, F. W.: A modification of the benzidine method for measurement of hemoglobin in plasma and urine. Blood11, 380–383 (1956)
Dill, D. B.: Marathoner DeMar: Physiological studies. J. nat. Cancer Inst.35, 185–191 (1965)
Dill, D. B., Costill, D. L.: Calculation of percentage changes in volumes of blood, plasma and red cells in dehydration. J. appl. Physiol.37, 247–248 (1974)
Gilligan, D. R., Altschule, M. D., Katersky, E. M.: Physiological intravascular hemolysis of exercise. Hemoglobinemia and hemoglobinuria following cross-country runs. J. clin. Invest.22, 859–869 (1943)
Hartley, L. H., Mason, J. W., Hogan, R. P., Jones, L. G., Kotchen, T. A., Mougey, E. H., Wherry, F. E., Pennington, L. L., Ricketts, P. T.: Multiple hormonal responses to graded exercise in relation to physical training. J. appl. Physiol.33, 602–606 (1972)
Johnson, R. E., Brouha, L.: Pulse rate, blood lactate, and duration of effort in relation to ability to perform strenuous exercise. Rev. canad. Biol.1, 171–178 (1942)
Kärki. N. T.: The urinary excretion of noradrenaline and adrenaline in different age groups, its diurnal variation and the effect of muscular work on it. Acta physiol. scand.39 (Suppl. 132), 1–96 (1956)
Levine, S. A., Gordon, B., Derick, C. L.: Some changes in the chemical constituents of the blood following a marathon race. J. Amer. med. Ass.82, 1778–1779 (1924)
Magazanik, A., Shapiro, Y., Meytes, D., Meytes, I.: Enzyme blood levels and water balance during a marathon race. J. appl. Physiol.36, 214–217 (1974)
Myhre, L. G., Brown, D. K., Hall, F. G., Dill, D. B.: The use of carbon monoxide and T-1824 for determining blood volume. Clin. Chem.14, 1197–1205 (1968)
Nielson, M.: Die Regulation der Körpertemperatur bei Muskelarbeit. Scand. Arch. Physiol.79, 193–230 (1938)
Novak, M.: Colorimetric ultramicro method for the determination of free fatty acids. J. Lipid Res.6, 431–433 (1965)
O'Hanlon, J. F., Jr., Campuzano, H. C., Horvath, S. M.: A fluorometric assay for subnanogram concentrations of adrenaline and noradrenaline in plasma. Analyt. Biochem.34, 568–581 (1970)
Pernow, B., Saltin, B.: Availability of substrates and capacity for prolonged heavy exercise in man. J. appl. Physiol.31, 416–422 (1971)
Pugh, L. G. C. E., Corbett, J. L., Johnson, R. H.: Rectal temperatures, weight losses, and sweat rates in marathon running. J. appl. Physiol.23, 347–352 (1967)
Rose, L. I., Carroll, D. R., Lowe, S. L., Peterson, E. W., Cooper, K. C.: Serum electrolytes after marathon running. J. appl. Physiol.29, 449–451 (1970)
Saltin, B.: Aerobic work capacity and circulation at exercise in man. Acta physiol. scand.62 (Suppl. 230), 1–52 (1964)
Ström, G.: The influence of anoxia on lactate utilization in man after prolonged muscular work. Acta physiol. scand.17, 440–451 (1949)
Viru, A., Körge, P.: Metabolic processes and adrenalcortical activity during marathon races. Int. Z. angew. Physiol.29, 173–183 (1971)
Winer, B. J.: Statistical principles in experimental design, 2nd. ed, pp. 384–385. New York: McGraw-Hill 1971
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This work was supported in part by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Air Force Systems Command, Grant AFOSR 73-2455.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Maron, M.B., Horvath, S.M. & Wilkerson, J.E. Acute blood biochemical alterations in response to marathon running. Europ. J. Appl. Physiol. 34, 173–181 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00999930
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00999930