title: Changes in blood morphology and chosen biochemical parameters in ultra-marathon runners during a 100-km run in relation to the age and speed of runners.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the study was to reveal morphology, electrolyte and chosen biochemical parameters in terms of health risk in runners in reference to their age and running speed in the case of running a distance of 100 km, which occur after 12 h or 24 h of recovery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen experienced, male, amateur, ultra-marathon runners, divided into two age and two speed groups took part in the 100-km run. Blood samples for analyses indexes were collected from the ulnar vein just before the run, after 25 km, 50 km, 75 km and 100 km, as well as 12 h and 24 h after termination of the run.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The sustained ultramarathon run along with the distance covered (p < 0.05) caused an increase in myoglobin (max 90-fold), bilirubin (max 2.8-fold) and total antioxidant status (max 1.15-fold), which also continued during the recovery. Significant changes in the number of white blood cells were observed with each sequential course and could be associated with muscle damage. The electrolyte showed changes towards slight hyperkalemia, but no changes in natrium and calcium concentrations. There were no significant differences between the age and speed groups for all the parameters after completing the 100-km run as well as after 12 h and 24 h of recovery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Considering changes in blood morphology and chosen biochemical parameters in ultra-marathon runners during a 100-km run it can be stated that such an exhausting effort may be dangerous for human health due to metabolic changes and large damage to the organs. Negative metabolic changes are independent of age of an ultramarathon runner and occur both in younger (32±5.33 years) and older participants (50.56±9.7 years). It can be concluded that organ damage and negative metabolic changes during a 100-km run occur similarly in participants less experienced as well as in well trained runners. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2016;29(5):801-814.
authors: Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdańsk, Poland (Department of Tourism and Recreation). zb.jastrzebski@op.pl.
authors: Zbigniew
authors: Z
authors: Jastrzębski
authors: Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdańsk, Poland (Department of Tourism and Recreation). zychowska.m@gmail.com.
authors: Małgorzata
authors: M
authors: Żychowska
authors: Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland (Department of Medicine). mariajastrzebska@hotmail.com.
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Jastrzębska
authors: Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdańsk, Poland (Department of Tourism and Recreation). prusik@hot.pl.
authors: Krzysztof
authors: K
authors: Prusik
authors: Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdańsk, Poland (Department of Tourism and Recreation). prusikkatarzyna@gmail.com.
authors: Katarzyna
authors: K
authors: Prusik
authors: Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdańsk, Poland (Department of Tourism and Recreation). jakubkortas@wp.pl.
authors: Jakub
authors: J
authors: Kortas
authors: Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdańsk, Poland (Department of Tourism and Recreation). maraton1954@o2.pl.
authors: Wojciech
authors: W
authors: Ratkowski
authors: Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdańsk, Poland (Department of Tourism and Recreation). akonieczna3@wp.pl.
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Konieczna
authors: Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdańsk, Poland (Department of Tourism and Recreation). lukaszradziminski@wp.pl.
authors: Łukasz
authors: Ł
authors: Radzimiński
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis*; D056352:Athletes; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood*; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009211:Myoglobin / Q000097:blood*; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D004573:Electrolytes; D009211:Myoglobin; D001663:Bilirubin
keywords: age and speed differences; liver damage; long distance running; muscle fatigue; total antioxidant status; ultra-marathon