Relationship between cytokines and running economy in marathon runners

Abstract

BackgroundRunning economy (RE), expresses the relationship between the energy cost of running (Cr) and the work performed by a runner and is an predictor of performance. Given the intense effort of marathon runners during training and competition and the dearth of studies that address performance and cytokines in this population, the objective of the current study was to investigate the relationship between RE and cytokines in marathon runners.MethodsA total of 22 recreational marathon runners were examined. Using data obtained from VO2max assessments and sub-maximal tests, the following formula was applied to determine RE: Cr (mLO2·kg-1·km-1) = VO2 (mL·kg-1·h-1) × 60 ÷ speed (km·h-1).ResultsCr values shows no correlation with levels of the serum IL-1β, IL-4, IL-8, IL-10 and TNF-a 24h before, immediately after or 72h after the completion of an official marathon. However, the IL-6 level shows a significant correlation with Cr.Discussion and conclusionThe relationship between higher values of IL-6 and lower RE leads to the hypothesis of a physical under-recovery state by some athletes. Considering the stress caused by training, associated with the higher energetic cost in less economic athletes, it’s possible that the period of resting may not totally compensate for the inflammatory state.

The Relationship of IL-8 and IL-10 Myokines and Performance in Male Marathon Runners Presenting Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction

“…According to the literature, maximal oxygen uptake and its threshold are the most common parameters evaluated in exercise physiology, and are used as a basis for the prediction of aerobic performance and for training prescriptions for athletes [24,25]. Our study corroborates the well-known concept that VO 2 max and its threshold predicts athletes' performance (e.g., marathon finishing time) [24][25][26][27]. However, this prediction pattern was found only in the EIB-group.…”

Changes in Cytokines Concentration Following Long-Distance Running: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Experienced runners, athletes, trained and well-trained were evaluated in 22 studies (Niess et al, 1999 ; Fehrenbach et al, 2000 ; Ostrowski et al, 2000 ; Suzuki et al, 2000 , 2003 ; Toft et al, 2000 ; Bonsignore et al, 2002 ; Zaccaria et al, 2002 ; Nieman et al, 2003 , 2005 , 2006 , 2007 ; Cox et al, 2010 ; Abbasi et al, 2013 ; Chiu et al, 2013 ; Roupas et al, 2013 ; Santos et al, 2013b ; Shanely et al, 2014 ; Bachi et al, 2015 ; Sansoni et al, 2017 ; Passos et al, 2019 ; Gaggini et al, 2021 ). Amateur, recreational runners were present in 13 studies (Drenth et al, 1995 ; Castell et al, 1996 ; Starkie et al, 2001 ; Bonsignore et al, 2002 ; Kim et al, 2007 ; Díaz-Castro et al, 2012 ; Vaisberg et al, 2012 , 2013 ; Reihmane et al, 2013 ; Vuolteenaho et al, 2014 ; Luna Junior et al, 2016 ; dos Santos et al, 2020 ; Sliwicka et al, 2021 ). Other characteristics such as experience ranging from 1 to 16 years, finalists, and time in a marathon running of <5 h were adopted in three studies respectively (Uchakin et al, 2003 ; Pugh et al, 2019 ; Wołyniec et al, 2020 ).…”

“…The most evaluated cytokine was IL-6 found in 62 studies (Drenth et al, 1995 ; Castell et al, 1996 ; Ostrowski et al, 1998 , 1999 , 2000 ; Neidhart et al, 2000 ; Suzuki et al, 2000 , 2003 ; Toft et al, 2000 ; Nieman et al, 2001 , 2002 , 2003 , 2005 , 2006 , 2007 ; Starkie et al, 2001 ; Bonsignore et al, 2002 ; Pistilli et al, 2002 ; Uchakin et al, 2003 ; Mastaloudis et al, 2004 ; Miles et al, 2006 ; Kim et al, 2007 ; Siegel et al, 2007 ; Ng et al, 2008 ; Donnikov et al, 2009 ; Cox et al, 2010 ; Howatson et al, 2010 ; Scherr et al, 2011 , 2012 ; Díaz-Castro et al, 2012 ; Nickel et al, 2012 ; Vaisberg et al, 2012 , 2013 ; Abbasi et al, 2013 ; Bernecker et al, 2013 ; Chiu et al, 2013 ; Reihmane et al, 2013 ; Santos et al, 2013a , 2016 ; Shin and Lee, 2013 ; Wilhelm et al, 2014 ; Gill et al, 2015a , b ; Luna Junior et al, 2016 ; Niemelä et al, 2016 ; Zimmer et al, 2016 ; Clifford et al, 2017 ; Passos et al, 2019 ; Pugh et al, 2019 ; Sierra et al, 2019a , b ; Yargic et al, 2019 ; Batatinha et al, 2020 ; Costello et al, 2020 ; dos Santos et al, 2020 ; Kasprowicz et al, 2020 ; Larsen et al, 2020 ; Wołyniec et al, 2020 ...…”

“…Nineteen studies were found that evaluated the IL-1β (Drenth et al, 1995 ; Ostrowski et al, 1998 , 1999 ; Neidhart et al, 2000 ; Suzuki et al, 2000 , 2003 ; Nieman et al, 2001 ; Uchakin et al, 2003 ; Ng et al, 2008 ; Gill et al, 2015a , b ; Luna Junior et al, 2016 ; Santos et al, 2016 ; Clifford et al, 2017 ; Passos et al, 2019 ; Sierra et al, 2019a ; Batatinha et al, 2020 ; dos Santos et al, 2020 ; Skinner et al, 2021 ). In these studies, 20 runs were evaluated [half-marathon ( n = 1), ultra-marathon ( n = 4), marathon ( n = 14) and 40 km running ( n = 1)], of this total, (100%) half-marathon (Ng et al, 2008 ) and 40 km (Skinner et al, 2021 ), (50%) marathon (Neidhart et al, 2000 ; Suzuki et al, 2000 ; Uchakin et al, 2003 ; Luna Junior et al, 2016 ; Santos et al, 2016 ; Batatinha et al, 2020 ; dos Santos et al, 2020 ) e (25%) ultra-marathon (Drenth et al, 1995 ), did not show increased concentration of IL-1β. When the behavior of IL-1β between two tests was analyzed (40 km vs 171 km) in the same study, IL-1β was increased only in the ultra-marathon running (Skinner et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Seven studies were found that evaluated IL-4 (Suzuki et al, 2000 ; Luna Junior et al, 2016 ; Clifford et al, 2017 ; Batatinha et al, 2020 ; dos Santos et al, 2020 ; Skinner et al, 2021 ; Tavares-Silva et al, 2021 ). Of this total, only the study of Skinner et al ( 2021 ) found an increase in IL-4 after a 171 km run.…”