Abstract
BackgroundThe Mexican Tarahumara are accustomed to running ultra-distance races. No data exist on the acute physiological changes following ultra-distance running and physiological-biomarker associations in this population. Thus, we aimed to investigate the acute impact (≤ 24 h) on functional and biochemical changes of the cardiac muscle and biochemical changes associated with kidney function following a 63-km ultra-distance race with an altitude difference of 1800 m in Mexican Tarahumara athletes.MethodsTen Tarahumara male athletes (mean ± SD age = 29.9 ± 6.6 years) volunteered to participate in the study. VO2max was assessed by a sub-maximal step test individually calibrated combining heart rate and accelerometry. Standard transthoracic echocardiography methodology and venipuncture blood tests were carried out at four time points: pre-race, immediately post-race, 6 h, and 24 h post-race.ResultsEstimated mean VO2max was 54.5 (± 8.8) mL O2 min−1 kg−1 and average physiological activity intensity was 746 (± 143) J min−1 kg −1 (~ 11.5 METs). When compared to pre-race values, significant changes in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and LV end-diastolic volume (− 15%, p < 0.001 for both parameters), cardiac output (39%, p < 0.001), and maximal longitudinal velocity (− 13%, p < 0.009) were seen post-race with LVEF also being decreased at < 6 h post-race (− 8%, p < 0.014). Plasma biomarkers mid-regional pro-atrial natriuretic peptide, copeptin-ultra sensitive, and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T remained significantly elevated at 24 h post-race, and the two latter were inversely associated with LVEF (p < 0.04). Kidney dysfunction was indicated by increased post-race copeptin-ultra sensitive.ConclusionsThe athletes participating in this study had acute transient cardiac dysfunction as assessed by echocardiography but elevated cardiac and kidney biomarkers at 24 h following a 63-km race with extreme altitude variation.
Highlights
The Mexican Tarahumara are accustomed to running ultra-distance races
Several studies have used more conventional biomarkers such as highsensitivity cardiac troponin T release primarily associated with hypoxia-induced myocardial damage [8, 9]
Except for one recent investigation focusing on cardiac and kidney biomarkers [7] following ultra-distance running at moderate altitude in flat terrain in Mexican Tarahumara runners, none of these studies have reported results from indigenous American athletes
Summary
The Mexican Tarahumara are accustomed to running ultra-distance races. No data exist on the acute physiological changes following ultra-distance running and physiological-biomarker associations in this population. We aimed to investigate the acute impact (≤ 24 h) on functional and biochemical changes of the cardiac mus‐ cle and biochemical changes associated with kidney function following a 63-km ultra-distance race with an altitude difference of 1800 m in Mexican Tarahumara athletes. Numerous studies have investigated changes in biomarkers associated with cardiac and kidney dysfunction as a consequence of ultra-endurance sports participation. Except for one recent investigation focusing on cardiac and kidney biomarkers [7] following ultra-distance running at moderate altitude in flat terrain in Mexican Tarahumara runners, none of these studies have reported results from indigenous American athletes.
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