Abstract
BackgroundRegular exercise is beneficial for cardiovascular health but a recent meta-analysis indicated a relationship between extensive endurance sport and a higher risk of atrial fibrillation, an independent risk factor for stroke. However, data on the frequency of cardiac arrhythmias or (clinically silent) brain lesions during and after marathon running are missing.Methods/ DesignIn the prospective observational “Berlin Beat of Running” study experienced endurance athletes underwent clinical examination (CE), 3 Tesla brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), carotid ultrasound imaging (CUI) and serial blood sampling (BS) within 2-3 days prior (CE, MRI, CUI, BS), directly after (CE, BS) and within 2 days after (CE, MRI, BS) the 38th BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2011. All participants wore a portable electrocardiogram (ECG)-recorder throughout the 4 to 5 days baseline study period. Participants with pathological MRI findings after the marathon, troponin elevations or detected cardiac arrhythmias will be asked to undergo cardiac MRI to rule out structural abnormalities. A follow-up is scheduled after one year.ResultsHere we report the baseline data of the enrolled 110 athletes aged 36-61 years. Their mean age was 48.8 ± 6.0 years, 24.5% were female, 8.2% had hypertension and 2.7% had hyperlipidaemia. Participants have attended a mean of 7.5 ± 6.6 marathon races within the last 5 years and a mean of 16 ± 36 marathon races in total. Their weekly running distance prior to the 38th BMW BERLIN-MARATHON was 65 ± 17 km. Finally, 108 (98.2%) Berlin Beat-Study participants successfully completed the 38th BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2011.DiscussionFindings from the “Berlin Beats of Running” study will help to balance the benefits and risks of extensive endurance sport. ECG-recording during the marathon might contribute to identify athletes at risk for cardiovascular events. MRI results will give new insights into the link between physical stress and brain damage.Trial registrationclinicaltrials.gov NCT01428778
Highlights
Regular exercise is beneficial for cardiovascular health but a recent meta-analysis indicated a relationship between extensive endurance sport and a higher risk of atrial fibrillation, an independent risk factor for stroke
By using a continuous ECG-monitoring we focus on the frequency of cardiac arrhythmias in healthy endurance athletes before, during and after the 38th BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2011
Aims and objectives The aims of this “Berlin Beat of Running” study are: (1) to identify the frequency of cardiac arrhythmias in experienced marathon runners; (2) to become aware of impact factors associated with cardiac arrhythmias; (3) to analyse the frequency of MRIdetected brain lesions before and immediately after a marathon race; (4) to correlate pathological findings of heart and brain to laboratory results; (5) to rule out myocardial scars in athletes with elevated troponin levels after the marathon; (6) to demonstrate feasibility of valid ECG-recording during enduring sports
Summary
Baseline characteristics of study participants Overall, 110 athletes aged 36-61 years were enrolled (Table 2). BERLIN-MARATHON 2011, the participants attended a mean of 7.5 ± 6.6 (range 2-50) marathon races within the last 5 years and a mean of 16.1 ± 35.8 (range 2-359) marathon races in total. Their average weekly running distance prior to the race was 64.7 ± 17.3 km (range 40120 km). (99.1%) of all participants took part and 108 (98.2%) participants finished the 38th BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2011 in 249 min ± 43 min in average. One participant quitted the marathon race due to muscular cramps after 34 kilometres but attended all regular study visits
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