Negative Impacts of Marathon Running

Introduction

Running remains an effective full-body workout that provides significant health and emotional benefits. Mastering half marathons could stimulate runners towards training for the full marathon and even performing ultra marathons. The medical community has expressed indecisiveness of whether the advantages of long-distance running outweigh the associated risks. Physicians consider various factors such as body size, age, and body mechanics in advising individuals towards marathon running. Exercise-associated hyponatremia (EAH) has emerged as growing concern consequence of running marathons. Cardiomyopathy that associates with the enlargement of the heart muscle has also been cited in endurance exercises. Adverse complications related to marathon running remains relevant in the medical field.

Negative Implications

Exercise-associated hyponatremia (EAH) emerges because of sustained physical exertion that occurs during marathons and endurance related exercises. The popularity of marathon events has increased EAH incidences. Associated fatalities have also emerged because of marathon running. In 2002, it was identified that a 28-year-old woman died out of EAH. However, the medical community has not explicitly explored this condition due to the limitation of studies that have focused on runners brought forth for medical attention. The primary risk factor for this condition stems from an excessive fluid intake. In this case, the body has relatively higher amounts of water as compared to exchangeable sodium stores. 

A study by Kipps et al. (2011) established that a considerable percentage of the healthy volunteers in their study developed asymptomatic hyponatremia after marathon running under cool conditions. The latter takes into consideration identified cases from elite athletes. Other factors have been linked with EAH. They include lack of marathon experience, female sex, and the absence of marathon experience for runners. Additionally, the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs has also been cited. 

Increased rates of sudden cardiovascular deaths (SCD) have been associated with competitive sports. In particular, young adults and adolescents with underlying cardiovascular conditions remain at risk. For middle-aged or older individuals, lack of regular exercises attributes to cardiomyopathy when participating in marathon running. A study by Kim et al. (2012) established that the incidence of cardiac arrest remained higher among marathon runners as compared to the rates for half-distance running. Additionally, men emerged as the highest risk group in comparison to women. Out of the 59 identified cardiac arrest cases, 42 representing 71 percent were fatal. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy attributes to cardiac arrest cases mostly among men. 

A notable case of cardiomyopathy is the late Micah True who died at 58 years in 2012 on a 12-mile trail run (Hoffman et al., 2013). Previously, Micah could do three to four times the 12-mile train that led to his demise. An autopsy of his death revealed the enlargement of the heart muscle that could have contributed to irregular heartbeats. Researchers have indicated that marathons require the heart to pump enormous blood quantities once annually. This could result in catastrophic implications for an individual. Long-distance marathoners also record elevated troponin levels that are indicators of heart damage. 

Marathon running could contribute to muscle loss. Excessive running could impede an individual’s efforts in building muscle. The consensus in the medical community advises that two to six times a week of about 20 minutes running could support body health and improve blood circulation. Studies have indicated that endurance running results in making the body catabolic. In this case, the body produces increased levels of cortisol hormone and drops testosterone levels. The two could lead the body in burning muscles. 

Marathon running could also lead to injuries. From the Nova video, it is evident that endurance training caused significant injuries to some participants consequently derailing them from participating in the marathon ( James, 2016 ). Research has indicated that about 40-50 percent of runners encounter injuries annually (Saragiotto, et al., 2014). These complications are associated with knee pain, plantar fasciitis, and shin splints among others. Shin splints are common consequences of endurance running due to the constant pounding of the feet to the ground over an extended period. 

Marathon running could temporarily place the immune system in an overdrive scenario. Endurance exercising results in the release of cortisol to reduce swelling. On the other hand, this process compromises the immune system. It is for this reason that physicians encourage marathoners to supplement Vitamin C in their diet. In doing so, they could reduce outside stressors. 

Weight changes could emerge because of marathon running. Some runners partake on endurance exercise to lose weight. The rigorous training demands significant energy levels are necessitating increased calorie intake. As a result, athletes could eat more carbohydrates to meet the energy needs. Completion of the marathon requires sufficient time for body rest ( Heinrich, 2002 ). During this period, the marathoner could still be accustomed to a high-calorie intake. The latter results in body weight increase which negates the achievements of the endurance exercise.

Conclusion

Undoubtedly, running brings forth profound benefits to individuals. This form of exercise has remained beneficial in reducing the risk of various conditions including cardiovascular diseases, depression, and diabetes mellitus. Additionally, it contributes to the positive emotional wellbeing of individuals. However, these benefits do not negate the risks factors associated with marathon running. The deaths of prolific athletes in the marathon scene put into perspective the gravity of the associated risks. Notably, EAH and cardiomyopathy remain critical conditions that marathoners should consider. The limited research on adverse impacts of marathon running caps broad perspectives on this subject. Further research on this issue remains instrumental in unraveling health problems associated with marathon running. 

References

Heinrich, B. (2002). Why We Run. Ecco.

Hoffman, M. D., Hew-Butler, T., & Stuempfle, K. J. (2013). Exercise-associated hyponatremia and hydration status in 161-km ultramarathoners.  Medicine and science in sports and exercise ,  45 (4), 784-791.

James, E. (2016, Sept 3). PBS Nova Marathon Challenge. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3pGI8LnQj0

Kim, J. H., Malhotra, R., Chiampas, G., d'Hemecourt, P., Troyanos, C., Cianca, J., ... & Baggish, A. L. (2012). Cardiac arrest during long-distance running races.  New England Journal of Medicine ,  366 (2), 130-140.

Kipps, C., Sharma, S., & Pedoe, D. T. (2011). The incidence of exercise-associated hyponatraemia in the London marathon.  British journal of sports medicine ,  45 (1), 14-19.

Saragiotto, B. T., Yamato, T. P., Junior, L. C. H., Rainbow, M. J., Davis, I. S., & Lopes, A. D. (2014). What are the main risk factors for running-related injuries?.  Sports medicine ,  44 (8), 1153.