Effect of intravenous fluid administration on recovery after running a marathon.

Abstract

After the Rotterdam Marathon on 21 April 1991 (ambient temperature 5.80C, relative humidity 74%, wind velocity 5 m s-1) data from 66 athletes were analysed for information concerning total recovery and recovery from pain, stiffness, loss of appetite, sleep disturbance and fatigue.The pulse rate, body weight and temperature were measured. The athletes were divided at random into two groups. Thirty-four athletes received an intravenous infusion of 2.51 of a 2.5% glucose/0.45% NaCl solution. Thirty-two athletes received a placebo infusion of 100ml 0.9% NaCl. Recovery took 9.2 days in the placebo group and 10.2 days in the infusion group. All athletes had pain and/or stiffness after the marathon. The immediate replacement of 2.51 of fluid had no significant influence on the rate of total recovery, the number of days with pain or stiffness, the appetite, sleep or fatigue. On the first day after the marathon the pulse rate was increased. The rectal temperature was not affected. The athletes were also divided into fast and slow runners without regard to fluid replacement. Fast runners (those running the race in less than 2 h 55 min) needed more time to recover than slower runners and pain and/or stiffness lasted longer in the fast group. Athletes who equalled or improved their best previous result also needed more A search of the literature showed that there are almost no data available dealing with recovery after a marathon race. Therefore a study was designed to gather information about the recovery of marathon runners and the effect of intravenous fluid infusion immediately following the race. Subjects and methodsOur study population was chosen from the list of competitors. Experienced male marathon runners were selected. Only those who had completed a previous marathon in less than 3 h and were members of a Dutch track and field club were entered in the study. Of the 382 athletes who fulfilled the above requirements 263 were selected because they lived in, or in the vicinity of, Rotterdam, or in one of the other big cities in the Netherlands. These 263 athletes were asked by informative letter to participate in our investigation. We received a positive response from 98 athletes. The athletes were divided at random into two groups. The participants in each group were to receive an i.v. infusion (100ml 0.9% NaCl in group 1 and 2.512.5% glucose/0.45% NaCl in group 2) administered by anaesthetists and their auxiliaries. The infusions were administered to groups 1 and 2 in separate rooms. All athletes had a cooling down period of approximately 30 min. The 100-ml infusion took on average 15 min, whereas the 2.5-1 infusion was completed after about 50min. Questions concerning recovery, pain, stiffness, loss of appetite, sleep disturbance and fatigue, were answered by the athletes on the 36 days following the marathon by filling in a questionnaire. The questions were answered by using a visual analogue scale of 0-10. On days 1, 3, 7, 14 and 21 the athletes were asked to determine their weight, pulse rate and rectal tempe...

Exercise in old age: time to unwrap the cotton wool.

“…When exercise recommenced 16 minutes later, subjects given the same volume of fluid either orally or intravenously did not diVer in their exercise capacity or in their ratings of perceived exertion. This study complements that of Polak et al, 20 also published in the Journal, which found that intravenous infusion of 2.5 litres of a similar solution immediately after the race did not influence the rate of recovery of athletes completing the Rotterdam marathon.…”

Sleep in marathon and ultramarathon runners: a brief narrative review

“…However, Castell ( 48 ) proposed that in endurance athletes, one night’s sleep loss would induce changes in parameters related to immune function and cognitive ability. Polak et al ( 46 ) analyzed Rotterdam Marathon runners for information concerning total recovery and recovery from pain, stiffness, loss of appetite, sleep disturbance and fatigue. They showed that the immediate replacement of 2.5 L of fluid had no significant influence on the total recovery rate, the number of days with pain or stiffness, the appetite, sleep, or fatigue ( 46 ).…”

Intravenous Fluid Use in Athletes

“…No significant differences between the groups were found for time to recovery, number of days with pain, number of days with stiffness, sleep disturbance, fatigue, rectal temperature, and loss of appetite. 54 …”

“…58 The effect of IV hydration on recovery following marathon running has been studied. 54 IV fluids were administered immediately postmarathon to assess time to recovery in 66 participants. The experimental group received 2.5 L of 2.5% glucose/0.45% sodium chloride solution, whereas the placebo group received 100 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride solution.…”

“…No significant differences between the groups were found for time to recovery, number of days with pain, number of days with stiffness, sleep disturbance, fatigue, rectal temperature, and loss of appetite. 54 In addition to studies performed on athletes, IV versus oral rehydration was investigated in firefighters performing exercise in thermal protective clothing. 33 After initial exercise to induce dehydration, rehydration equal to body mass lost was met with water, sport drink, or normal saline IV infusion followed by more exercise.…”