Heart Damage Seen in Poorly Trained Marathoners

For would be marathoners, the new rule is Don’t Run Unless You’re Ready. The LA Times reports on a study by researchers at Laval University in Quebec, which looked at the exercise regimen, blood and MRI results of 20 healthy amateur runners six to eight weeks before a marathon, two days after finishing, and some three months later. The researchers found that after the race, the less well trained runners were more dehydrated and their hearts showed greater signs of injury than better trained runners. The less well trained runners also experienced greater loss of function associated with lower blood flow and greater irritation of heart segments. How does one know she’s ready? The researchers advise that, short of doing an MRI before a marathon, athletes could have their VO2max tested to see how fit they are. That can be tested in a lab or estimated using heart rate.

Read more in the LA Times.