Abstract
IntroductionMarathon, as a long-distance aerobic exercise, has become a fashionable or popular sport. However, little is known about the holistic metabolic changes occurring within the serum metabolome of athletes after the completion of a marathon.ObjectivesThe goal of current study was to have an in-depth understanding of the impact of marathon on human metabolomics as well as the relationships among a variety of metabolites.MethodsThe 20 studied subjects were all adult males who participated in a marathon. The serum samples of these participants were collected before and after the marathon and the biochemical metabolites in the serum were identified by an untargeted two-dimensional gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry.ResultsAll participants completed the marathon within 3 h. Compared to those before exercise, serum urea and creatine kinase, as well as cortisol, elevated significantly (p < 0.05), whereas testosterone decreased significantly (p < 0.01). Metabolomic analysis showed that, compared to those before the competition, metabolites pyruvic acid, glyceric acid, malic acid, cis-aconitic acid, galacturonic acid, methyl fumaric acid, maltotriose, and others increased significantly after the competition (p < 0.05), but glucosamine and O-succinyl-L-homoserine decreased significantly (p < 0.05). Amino acid indexes, such as alanine, L-tyrosine and phenylalanine, increased significantly after exercise compared with those before exercise (p < 0.05), whereas serine, valine and asparagine decreased significantly (p < 0.05). Lipid metabolism indexes, glycerol, glyceric acid, octanoic acid, and quinic acid increased significantly (p < 0.05). Theophylline, xanthine and other indicators of caffeine metabolism increased significantly (p < 0.05). Furthermore, marathon performance, fat percentage, VO2max, and hemoglobin were correlated with the serum metabonomic indicators, so were serum testosterone and cortisol.ConclusionThese results illustrate that the metabolism of glucose and lipid of the athletes was enhanced following the marathon match. In addition, the metabolism of glucosamine was decreased and the metabolism of caffeine was increased. Our data provide new insights for marathon performance and nutritional status.
Highlights
Marathon, as a long-distance aerobic exercise, has become a fashionable or popular sport
These results illustrate that the metabolism of glucose and lipid of the athletes was enhanced following the marathon match
Conclusion remarks In summary, our studies found that the exercise promoted the catabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids, and potentiated the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle
Summary
As a long-distance aerobic exercise, has become a fashionable or popular sport. Little is known about the holistic metabolic changes occurring within the serum metabolome of athletes after the completion of a marathon. In order to achieve excellent performance, runners make efforts in exercise training. After runners complete a full marathon match, their skeletal muscle, myocardium, The growing popularity of marathon is an intriguing phenomenon. The increased public interest in long-distance running has triggered an increased interest among scientists in investigating changes related to the performance of the sport. Numerous studies have been conducted on marathon runners; the studied aspects include the factors that influence marathon performance [5], economy of used energy [6] and relationship between running speed and VO2max [7]. Mathews et al [8] reported that in the years between 2000 and 2009, there were 28 fatal cases during or within 24 h after a marathon run in the USA
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
