Key result
Ultra-endurance running significantly impaired cognitive performance, including a 30.2% slower simple reaction time, and altered cardiovascular function in healthy adults.
Why the study?
Evidence concerning the effects of ultra-marathon running participation on cognition and cardiovascular function remains inconclusive.
Does participation in an ultra-endurance event alter cardiovascular function and cognitive performance in experienced marathon runners?
Observational (n=24)
No
Does participation in an ultra-endurance event alter cardiovascular function and cognitive performance in experienced marathon runners?
Absolute Event Rate: 336.3% vs 258.3%
p-value: p=<0.001
Ultra-endurance running is associated with marked acute impairments in cognitive performance and significant alterations in cardiovascular function, including post-exercise hypotension and increased cardiac output.
Acute cognitive and CV changes may follow ultra-endurance running; hypothesis-generating for recovery monitoring and prospective trials.
Background Ultra-marathon running participation has become increasingly more popular in recent years; however, there is inconclusive evidence concerning the effects of participation on cognition and cardiovascular function. The purpose of this study was to examine alterations in cardiovascular function and cognitive performance and their association in ultra-marathon runners prior to and following an ultra-endurance event. Methods In total, 24 runners (19 males and 5 females) participated in an ultra-marathon race (FatDog120) held in British Columbia, Canada. Participants competed in varying races distances [48 km ( n = 2), 80 km ( n = 7), 113 km ( n = 3), and 193 km ( n = 12)]. Cognition was assessed prior to and upon race completion using simple reaction time, choice reaction time, discrimination reaction time, and recognition memory (% correct). Cardiovascular function was assessed prior to and upon race completion using radial applanation tonometry for diastolic pulse contour examination. Results Cognitive performance displayed significantly ( p < 0.001) slower reaction times post-race for simple (30.2%), discrimination (22.7%), and choice reaction time (30.5%), as well as a significant ( p < 0.05) reduction in memory test performance (−8.2%). A significant association between systemic vascular resistance and choice reaction time was observed post-race ( r = 0.41, p < 0.05). Significant changes in post-race cardiovascular function were observed in resting heart rate (31.5%), cardiac output (27.5%), mean arterial blood pressure (−5.6%), total systemic resistance (−17.6%), systolic blood pressure (−7.0%), pulse pressure (−11.2%), and rate pressure product (22.4%). There was evidence of enhanced cardiovascular function being associated with improved cognitive performance before and after the ultra-endurance event. Conclusion Ultra endurance running is associated with marked impairments in cognitive performance that are associated (at least in part) with changes in cardiovascular function in healthy adults.
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Perrotta et al. (2022) conducted an observational in Healthy ultra-marathon runners (n=24). Ultra-endurance event (ultra-marathon) vs. Pre-race baseline was evaluated on Simple reaction time (ms) (p=<0.001). Ultra-endurance running significantly impaired cognitive performance, including a 30.2% slower simple reaction time, and altered cardiovascular function in healthy adults.
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