Ultra-Running Accelerates Blood Cell Aging
A new study finds that ultra-endurance running can accelerate the aging of red blood cells, potentially impacting long-term health. While running remains highly beneficial, the research suggests moderation and recovery are crucial for those engaging in extreme endurance events.
- The study, led by Travis Nemkov from the University of Colorado Anschutz, analyzed runners in two events: the 40-kilometer Martigny-Combes à Chamonix race and the 171-kilometer Ultra Trail de Mont Blanc. - Damage to red blood cells occurs through two primary mechanisms: mechanical stress from changes in fluid pressure as cells circulate and molecular damage from inflammation and oxidative stress. - Researchers observed that after a race, red blood cells become less flexible, which could hinder their ability to deliver oxygen and remove waste by making it harder for them to pass through small blood vessels. - Signs of red blood cell stress were present even after the 40-kilometer race, but the damage was significantly more pronounced in athletes who completed the 171-kilometer event. - According to the study's lead author, the damage seems to significantly increase somewhere between marathon and ultra-marathon distances. - The researchers noted that the accelerated aging of red blood cells in ultra-runners mirrors the degradation observed in blood stored for transfusions, suggesting the findings could inform better blood storage practices. - While previous research has noted that ultra-marathon runners can experience a breakdown of red blood cells, a phenomenon known as hemolysis, which can potentially lead to anemia, the long-term health impacts of this accelerated aging are still unknown. - The body may compensate for the destruction of older, more fragile red blood cells by increasing the production of new ones, a process called erythropoiesis.
