Emma Roca1, Lexa Nescolarde2, Daniel Brotons3, Antoni Bayes-Genis4, Enrique Roche5. 1. Department of Electronic, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: info@emmaroca.com. 2. Department of Electronic, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain. 3. Catalan Sports Council, Generalitat de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain. 4. Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Campus UAB, Barcelona, Spain; Research Program, Fundació Institut d'Investigació en Ciències de la Salut Germans Trias i Pujol, Barcelona, Spain. 5. Department of Applied Biology-Nutrition, Institute of Bioengineering, University Miguel Hernandez, Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL Foundation), Alicante, Spain; CIBERobn (Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y la Nutrición), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the intake of specific macronutrients and minerals that could influence cardiovascular health in recreational marathon runners. METHODS: We grouped 37 male runners into two groups according to their 50th percentile race time (3.39 h) and divided them into fast (group 1 [G1]: 3.18 ± 0.18 h) and slow runners (group 2 [G2]: 3.84 ± 0.42 h). Anthropometric parameters, macronutrients, and mineral records were collected before the race. Minerals (sodium ion, potassium ion, and magnesium ion), lipid profile (triacylglycerols, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, and cholesterol), muscle damage (creatine kinase), inflammation (C-reactive protein), and cardiovascular health (high-sensitivity troponin T, ST2, and N-terminal proB-type natriuretic peptide) were analyzed in blood 24 h before, immediately after, and 48 h postrace. RESULTS: Weight (G1: 74.70 ± 7.76 kg, G2: 79.58 ± 6.72 kg; P < 0.05) and body mass index (G1: 23.01 ± 1.81 kg/m2, G2: 25.30 ± 2.02 kg/m2; P < 0.01) differed significantly between the groups. Moreover, G1 consumed significantly more (P < 0.01) mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids than G2, and presented significantly higher iron, potassium, and magnesium intake. Regarding blood lipid profile, G2 presented significantly higher triacylglycerol values and lower levels of high-density lipoprotein (P < 0.01). The high-sensitivity troponin T marker of cardiac myocyte stress or injury was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in G2, reaching values >250 ng/L, and 81% of the runners (30 of 37) presented higher postrace values. CONCLUSIONS: Marathon runners consuming adequate amounts of unsaturated fat, iron, potassium, and magnesium, performed better and presented better cardiovascular health.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the intake of specific macronutrients and minerals that could influence cardiovascular health in recreational marathon runners. METHODS: We grouped 37 male runners into two groups according to their 50th percentile race time (3.39 h) and divided them into fast (group 1 [G1]: 3.18 ± 0.18 h) and slow runners (group 2 [G2]: 3.84 ± 0.42 h). Anthropometric parameters, macronutrients, and mineral records were collected before the race. Minerals (sodium ion, potassium ion, and magnesium ion), lipid profile (triacylglycerols, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, and cholesterol), muscle damage (creatine kinase), inflammation (C-reactive protein), and cardiovascular health (high-sensitivity troponin T, ST2, and N-terminal proB-type natriuretic peptide) were analyzed in blood 24 h before, immediately after, and 48 h postrace. RESULTS: Weight (G1: 74.70 ± 7.76 kg, G2: 79.58 ± 6.72 kg; P < 0.05) and body mass index (G1: 23.01 ± 1.81 kg/m2, G2: 25.30 ± 2.02 kg/m2; P < 0.01) differed significantly between the groups. Moreover, G1 consumed significantly more (P < 0.01) mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids than G2, and presented significantly higher iron, potassium, and magnesium intake. Regarding blood lipid profile, G2 presented significantly higher triacylglycerol values and lower levels of high-density lipoprotein (P < 0.01). The high-sensitivity troponin T marker of cardiac myocyte stress or injury was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in G2, reaching values >250 ng/L, and 81% of the runners (30 of 37) presented higher postrace values. CONCLUSIONS: Marathon runners consuming adequate amounts of unsaturated fat, iron, potassium, and magnesium, performed better and presented better cardiovascular health.