The Effects of a Marathon Effort on Psychomotor Performance and Catecholamine Concentration in Runners over 50 Years of Age

Jan Chmura,Dariusz Mroczek,Marek Konefał,Piotr Ponikowski,Andrzej Rokita,Amit Batra,Michał Kosowski,Marcin Andrzejewski,Paweł Chmura,Katarzyna Młynarska

doi:10.3390/app10062067

Abstract

Long-distance running and, in particular, running marathons has become an increasingly popular activity among the elderly. The aim of the study was to examine the effects of a marathon effort on the psychomotor performance and catecholamine concentration in runners over 50 years of age. The participants were male runners (n = 28) who completed the 32nd Wrocław Marathon in Poland. The runners’ psychomotor performance was assessed on the basis of their choice reaction times (CRT), heart rate (HR) and running speed measurements. In addition, the adrenaline (A) and noradrenaline (NA) as well as lactate (LA) levels and anaerobic threshold (AT) were measured. The runners’ CRT after crossing the finish line was significantly longer by 50 ms (p < 0.05) in response to each emitted audiovisual stimulus, as compared with baseline. The mean running speed was reduced by 1 km/h between the first speed measurement (5th km of the run) and the last (42.195 km) (p < 0.05). The observed three-fold increase in adrenaline and noradrenaline levels indicates an intense activity of the sympathetic–adrenergic system. The cognitive function levels in the studied marathon runners returned to baseline after 30 min of recovery, and the function of the sympathetic–adrenergic system by seven days after completing the marathon race.

Highlights

Long-distance running and, in particular, running marathons has become an increasingly popular activity among the elderly
The marathon runners over 50 years of age completed the race at the mean time of 257.00 ± 10.51 min, The i.e., 4marathon h 17 min. runners over 50 years of age completed the race at the mean time of
Considering the growing popularity of marathon running among the elderly, this study adds to the current knowledge regarding the effects of a marathon effort on the psychomotor performance and catecholamine concentration in runners over 50 years of age

Summary

Introduction

Long-distance running and, in particular, running marathons has become an increasingly popular activity among the elderly. Lepers and Cattagni [1] noted a regular increase in the participation of men and women over 50 years of age in the New York City Marathon in the years 1980–2009. This age group features a significantly more dynamic improvement in sports results than their younger counterparts [2]. In amateur and professional athletes aged 50–60 years the level of endurance skills and psychomotor performance becomes reduced, which is associated with aging-related physiological changes. Studies reveal a reduced VO2 max with age, while the lactate threshold as % of VO2 max and running economy remain mostly unchanged [3,4].

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