Temporal Response of Arterial Stiffness to Ultra-Marathon

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to characterize the arterial stiffness of male ultra-marathon runners (n = 9) using pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and radial tonometry over the course of an ultra-marathon and during recovery. Measures were collected at rest, immediately following 45 km/75 km of running, then following 60 and 90 min of recovery. No statistical difference was found between baseline cfPWV and normative values. The cfPWV of ultra-endurance runners decreased at 45 km (3.4 ± 1.6 m/s, p=0.006), followed by an increase (1.6 ± 1.8 m/s, p = 0.04) toward baseline levels at the 75 km mark. Radial tonometry measures also indicated small artery stiffness was transiently increased after 75 km. The amount of training time (r = 0.82, p = 0.007) and the duration of a typical training session (r = 0.73, p = 0.03) were correlated strongly with persisting decrements in large artery compliance at 60 min of recovery. The finding that arterial stiffness decreased at the 45 km distance and then reverted back toward baseline levels with prolonged running, may indicate a role of exercise duration or accumulated stress for affecting vascular compliance. At present, it is premature to suggest that athletes should alter training or racing practices to protect vascular health.

Vascular characteristics in young women—Effect of extensive endurance training or a sedentary lifestyle

“…It has been speculated that running with more prolonged bouts of exercise would be necessary for this potential negative vascular effect to be observed. 37 The second main finding of the present study was that arterial distensibility in the muscular arteries was markedly different between the different study groups according to their type and level of physical activity. Arterial stiffness in the muscular arteries of the upper extremity was measured in the present study as the carotid-radial pulse wave velocity (PWVcr).…”

“…Therefore, we have no evidence that running per se modulated the arterial distensibility in the studied group of young women. It has been speculated that running with more prolonged bouts of exercise would be necessary for this potential negative vascular effect to be observed …”

Influence of body composition and physical fitness on arterial stiffness after marathon running

“…They found no significant change in brachial-ankle PWV, an indicator of global AST that differs from central PWV. Burr et al 12 assessed central PWV during an ultramarathon and found lower values of PWV after 45 km of running. Since participants had another 30 km to go, the authors argued that lower intensity may explain the differing results compared to the study by Vlachopoulos et al In contrast to our results, Burr et al 24 found a reduced compliance 20-60 min after ultramarathon (120-195 km).…”

“…Recent studies examined acute and chronic effects of prolonged endurance sports activities on PWV . The results are not conclusive, and the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood.…”

“…10,11 Recent studies examined acute and chronic effects of prolonged endurance sports activities on PWV. [12][13][14][15] The results are not conclusive, and the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Besides the influence of hemodynamic factors such as heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP), physical fitness, body composition, and inflammatory processes have been discussed as potential factors.…”