Key result
In marathon runners with inadequate diets, women showed significantly elevated muscle damage and inflammation markers 48 hours post-race compared to men (CK 641 vs 143 U/L; CRP 5.8 vs 0.7 mg/dL).
Why the study?
The authors sought to understand how diet affects performance and cardiovascular health in women compared to men participating in a demanding aerobic race like a marathon.
How does diet affect cardiovascular health-related circulating parameters in women compared to men participating in a marathon?
Cross-Sectional (n=30)
How does diet affect cardiovascular health-related circulating parameters in women compared to men participating in a marathon?
Inadequate diet in marathon runners may negate the structural and functional cardiac advantages typically seen in women compared to men during aerobic efforts.
May warrant extended recovery monitoring after marathons; leaves open dietary and sex-specific effects on inflammation.
OBJECTIVES: The main objective of this study is to understand how diet affects performance and cardiovascular health in a group of women participating in a demanding aerobic race such as marathon, compared to men. METHODS: Fifteen women participating in the Barcelona Marathon-2016 were recruited to participate in the study. A group of men (n = 15) that performed the same marathon race was selected. Anthropometric parameters and diet records were collected before the race. Circulating parameters were analyzed 24 h-pre-race, immediately after the race and 48 h-post-race. These included certain minerals, lipid profile, muscle damage, inflammatory and cardiovascular health markers. RESULTS: Diets were very similar in the men and women, with inadequate amounts of carbohydrates and proteins for endurance events. Creatine kinase (CK; a muscle damage marker) and C-reactive protein (CRP; a marker of inflammation) remained elevated 48 h post-race in all participants, but was significant in women (641 vs. 143 U/L for CK and 5.8 vs. 0.7 mg/dL for CRP). Cardiac markers (high sensitivity troponin T (Hs-TnT), suppression of tumorigenicity and N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide) increased post-race and returned to pre-race values after 48 h in men and women. In particular, Hs-TnT (marker of myocyte stress) increased from 2.2 to 62.5 ng/L post-race in women and from 3.1 to 52.9 ng/L in men. Finally, circulating lipid parameters were at borderline unhealthy levels in both sexes. CONCLUSION: Structural and functional cardiac advantages that women display compared to men in aerobic efforts are not manifested when diet is not adequately designed.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Martínez‐Rodríguez et al. (2023) conducted a cross-sectional in Marathon runners (n=30). Female sex vs. Male sex was evaluated on Circulating parameters including muscle damage, inflammatory, and cardiovascular health markers. In marathon runners with inadequate diets, women showed significantly elevated muscle damage and inflammation markers 48 hours post-race compared to men (CK 641 vs 143 U/L; CRP 5.8 vs 0.7 mg/dL).
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: