Extreme Running Damages Red Blood Cells
New research warns that extreme endurance running can damage red blood cells and may accelerate certain aging complications. While moderate running offers proven heart and circulatory benefits, ultra-distance training should be approached with caution and awareness of potential health impacts.
- The recent findings stem from a study led by Travis Nemkov at the University of Colorado Anschutz, published in the journal *Blood Red Cells & Iron*. - Researchers found that after ultramarathons, red blood cells become less flexible, which may hinder their ability to deliver oxygen and remove waste efficiently throughout the body. - The damage to red blood cells is believed to result from a combination of mechanical stress from blood pressure changes and molecular stress linked to inflammation and oxidation. - This cellular damage was observed in runners after a 40-kilometer (about 25 miles) race and was significantly more pronounced in those who completed a 171-kilometer (about 106 miles) event. - A separate but related phenomenon, known as "footstrike hemolysis," is the destruction of red blood cells in the capillaries of the feet due to the repetitive impact of running. - Beyond blood cells, long-term ultra-endurance running has been linked to other health concerns, including potential long-term cardiac issues like myocardial fibrosis and atrial fibrillation. - The kidneys can also be affected, with acute kidney injury being a common occurrence after ultra-endurance events, which in some rare cases could potentially lead to chronic kidney disease. - Researchers note the observed red blood cell damage in athletes mirrors the accelerated aging seen in blood during long-term storage for transfusions, suggesting the findings could inform preservation methods.
